Modeling proper reading is an important part of teaching reading fluency. Sit with each student one-on-one and read the first paragraph of a book chapter. Have the student follow along, then read the paragraph themselves. Correct mispronounced words and discuss what the paragraph was about before moving on to the next. For another activity, divide the students up into small groups for a reader's theater. Give each group a short script from a play, movie or book scene and assign parts. The students must practice reading their lines with fluidity and proper expression. After much practice, each group will perform their script to the class.
Speed reading activities help students develop auto sight reading, which is the ability to be able to see a word, know what it is and what it means without having to read the word out phonetically. Do speed drills to time how fast students can read a list of words in one minute. Correct words the students have trouble with and repeat the test to see if their accuracy and speed has improved. For another activity, give the students three minutes to skim an article. When the time is up, see who can give you an accurate synopsis of the text from skimming through it.
Use poetry to help the students develop reading with expression. For one activity, read a poem to the class in a monotone voice, then have a discussion about the poem's content. Divide the students up into pairs to work together on how the poem should be read based on the content. Each pair then reads the poem to the class with the appropriate expression. Another activity is to assign students a famous poet to research. The student must then select a poem from their assigned poet to study and recite based on their interpretation of the words and the story behind the poem.
Assign each student a famous historical speech that was broadcast on television or radio, such as President Kennedy's inaugural address. Without viewing or hearing the speech, students must research the content and story behind the speech. Students will dress up like their historical figure and deliver the speech to the class how they think it should have been read based on their understanding. Afterward, play the video of the actual speech and compare delivery styles. Discuss how the intonation of specific words can make the difference between a powerful, effective speech and a dull one.