Reading with expression worksheets
Aligned with Common Core RF.5.4b
Printable fifth-grade reading with expression worksheets: a chart of what punctuation tells your voice to do, reading lines by their punctuation, stressing different words, choosing the right tone, poems to read aloud, timed reading passages and a partner expression rubric.
The worksheets
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Reading with Expression Chart
Eight punctuation marks, each with what it tells your voice to do and a line to try, plus six parts of reading with expression: volume, pace, phrasing, tone, stress and character voices.
Punctuation Changes the Voice
Lines to read out loud, including some that differ only by their end mark, like "We won." and "We won?" Students circle telling, asking, excited or upset, trailing off, or sudden stop. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10 lines. Includes an answer key.
Stress a Different Word
The same sentences read with a different word highlighted each time, and three meanings to choose from. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 6 or 8 sentences. Includes an answer key.
How Would They Say It?
Short situations, each with a line of dialogue and three tones to choose from, like nervous, proud or disappointed. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 6 or 8 lines. Includes an answer key.
Poems to Read Aloud
Four original poems, each with a tip on how to read it and a three-read checklist for accuracy, punctuation and feeling. New sheet gives a different poem.
Timed Reading Passage
Six passages of about 225 words, three stories with lots of dialogue and three nonfiction, with a running word count on each line, a score table for three reads and four questions. New sheet gives a different passage. Includes an answer key.
Expression Rubric
A partner rubric for volume, pace, phrasing, tone and character voices, scored from 1 to 4 on two reads, with a total and lines for one part that sounded great and one thing to try next time.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Reading with expression means reading out loud so it sounds like real talking, with the voice showing what the words mean. Fifth graders learn how punctuation changes the voice, how stressing one word can change what a sentence means, and how to match a character's tone. They practice on poems and on longer passages, reading each one more than once.
What comes next
Theme and point of view.
How to teach it
- Teach in order or jump to whatever your student needs. A student may read every word correctly and still be building the habit of letting their voice show the meaning.
- Read a line aloud two ways, flat and with expression, and ask which one sounds like real talking.
- Point out the punctuation before reading, and talk about what each mark tells the voice to do.
- Read the same poem or passage three times over a few days. Expression usually grows with each read.
- Take turns as reader and listener so your student hears expression as well as uses it.
Common mistakes
- Reading every sentence in the same flat voice, even questions and exclamations.
- Rushing past commas, ellipses and dashes.
- Using a big dramatic voice that doesn't fit what is happening.
- Speeding up to read more words and leaving the expression behind.