What is the most effective first activity to improve prosody in reading?

Modeling reading a passage aloud is an effective first activity to improve prosody in reading because it provides students with a clear example of how to convey meaning through vocal inflection, expression, and rhythm. By listening to a fluent reader, students can pick up on nuances such as phrasing and intonation, which are key components of prosody. This initial exposure helps create a foundation for understanding how to interpret punctuation, emphasize important words, and convey emotions in the text.

Subsequent activities, like choral reading, partner reading, or echo reading, build on this foundational skill by encouraging practice and reinforcement in different contexts. However, the first step of modeling serves as a crucial introduction, allowing students to recognize the characteristics of fluent reading before they attempt to apply these techniques themselves. This process tends to enhance their ability to read with expression and understanding more effectively.