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      Reading 'Yoshi the Stonecutter' with expression

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can read to the end of the traditional tale.

      Key learning points

      1. Taking note of punctuation allows us to read with expression.
      2. Different punctuation marks mean different things.
      3. Re-reading words that you have read before gives you a chance to concentrate on reading with expression.
      4. Using different types of voice and different tones makes reading aloud more interesting for those who are listening.
      5. You must decode and understand words to be able to add expression.

      Keywords

      • Expression - reading with feelings and emotion to bring the story to life

      • Punctuation - marks used in writing to help make the meaning clear

      • Speech marks - punctuation marks used to enclose direct speech showing the words written or spoken by someone

      • Exclamation mark - a punctuation mark used to express strong emotion

      • Question mark - a punctuation mark used at the end of a question

      Common misconception

      Pupils may think reading with expression is purely about volume.

      Model reading words, phrases or sentences with and without expression and varying volume, pitch and speed. Then model your thought process about why you read it that way.

      Teacher tip

      During tasks, all pupils should be actively reading either independently or in a pair. Move around the pupils to listen in to their reading. Choose children to model their reading aloud (a sentence or paragraph) in front of the class and celebrate what they were doing well.

      Equipment

      You need a copy of the 2011 Oxford University Press edition of ‘Yoshi the Stonecutter’ by Becca Heddle and Meg Hunt for this lesson.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Who is the main character in 'Yoshi the Stonecutter'?

      Ravi
      Correct answer: Yoshi
      Yuri
      Tori

      Q2.
      Identify the full stop.

      Correct answer: .
      ,
      !
      ?

      Q3.
      Identify the sentence that ends in a question mark.

      Let's go outside.
      Look at the stars!
      Correct answer: What time is it?

      Q4.
      Identify the verb in this sentence: The cold wind blew.

      The
      cold
      wind
      Correct answer: blew

      Q5.
      What happens to Yoshi when he visits the "rich" person's house?

      He takes a job working at the "rich" person's house.
      Correct answer: He wishes to become like the "rich" person.
      He meets the king.
      He wishes for a new pair of shoes.

      Q6.
      Using phonics strategies when reading can help to __________ unfamiliar words.

      discover
      Correct answer: decode
      digest

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Order these events from the story 'Yoshi the Stonecutter'.

      1 - Yoshi is "poor" but works hard as a "stonecutter".
      2 - A "spirit" grants his "wishes" turning him into different things.
      3 - Yoshi learns that power doesn't make him happy and wishes to be a "stonecutter".

      Q2.
      Complete this sentence: Reading with expression...

      makes reading aloud more confusing for people listening.
      Correct answer: makes reading aloud more interesting for people listening.
      makes reading aloud more difficult for people listening.

      Q3.
      Match the punctuation marks to their name.

      Correct Answer:?,question mark

      question mark

      Correct Answer:!,exclamation mark

      exclamation mark

      Correct Answer:" ",speech marks

      speech marks

      Q4.
      Match the word to its meaning.

      Correct Answer:"whispered",said quietly

      said quietly

      Correct Answer:"wither",to dry up or start to die

      to dry up or start to die

      Correct Answer:"overflowed",spilt over the top

      spilt over the top

      Q5.
      If you stop to decode a word, it is a good idea to __________ the whole sentence afterwards to check it makes sense.

      write
      sing
      Correct answer: re-read
      re-write

      Q6.
      Which word in this sentence gives you a clue about the expression you might add when reading? "I was happier as a stonecutter," muttered Yoshi.

      was
      happier
      Correct answer: muttered

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Reading 'Yoshi the Stonecutter' with expression, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...