Reading as a group is an excellent way to improve on expression. Choose a book or play, and assign each member of a group to read either a page or a character`s lines. A group members will focus only on his particular part, allowing him to better judge voice and tone and decide how to create meaning using only his voice. Over time, individuals will become more comfortable and begin to try out new methods. This is also helpful as participants will learn from each other. Readers can take note of how someone else is using expression and how their methods may or may not come into play for their own part.
An important component of both fluency and expression is auditory. It is easiest for students to understand the basics of reading emotions if they have heard it being done before. Read short stories aloud to the group as much as possible, being sure to emphasize expression. After students hear this being done often, they will start to automatically use expression by default, be it while reading in their head or out loud.
Repeated reading is important for students in developing expression. Give each student a different short story. Have them read it through once or twice while in class, giving them a chance to decipher any meanings or look up any words they may not understand. Then have them read it out loud to a partner. This time they will be able to focus on the expression behind it, haven already gotten through the technical aspects. After one student is done reading their story, their partner will read theirs. Upon completion, students will switch partners and read to a new person. Have them read to a new partner every day. This is fun for students as they get to hear a new story each time. They also pick up on new forms of expression from each partner, and can practice putting them to use while reading to the next person.
As music is perhaps the most obvious form of auditory expression, incorporating it into a lesson of fluency can help students to convey expressions loud and clear. Split students up into small groups of two or three. Give each of them a short story or play, and instruct them to transform it into a song. While working together, they will have to think objectively about the story`s tone and decide how that should be presented musically. In the end, effective use of expression will come across in a good song. While a lack of expression will sound like less of a song and more of a reading.