Unit Plan 15 (Grade 1 ELA): Performance Reading & Fluency
Build fluent, expressive reading through poetry performance. First graders practice accuracy, phrasing, and expression across repeated readings—using punctuation, rhythm, and self-corrections—to perform short poems aloud with confidence and clear speaking skills.
Focus: Accuracy, rate, expression; reading poems aloud
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Foundational Skills • Speaking/Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Fluent readers sound accurate, smooth, and expressive. This week, students set a purpose for reading, practice accuracy with quick fix-ups, build rate and phrasing with phrase-cued texts, and add expression by noticing punctuation and feeling words. The week ends with a short poetry performance where students speak audibly and clearly.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Read on-level text with purpose and understanding (RF.1.4a).
- Orally read short poems/passages with growing accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression across repeated readings (RF.1.4b).
- Self-monitor and self-correct using meaning/sound/visual cues when something looks or sounds wrong (RF.1.4c).
- Present a short poem/stanza with clear voice, complete sentences, and appropriate volume/pace (SL.1.4, SL.1.6).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1
- RF.1.4a–c Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension: (a) read on-level text with purpose/understanding; (b) read on-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings; (c) use context to confirm/self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
- SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly (applied here to introducing/performing a poem).
- SL.1.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can say why I’m reading (to perform/share).
- I can read my poem accurately, in phrases, with expression.
- If a word doesn’t look/sound right or make sense, I stop and fix it.
- I can introduce my poem in one complete sentence and speak clearly so the audience understands.