Xitsonga First Additional Language - Term 1 - Week 7

Reading fluency is the ability to read smoothly and with expression. This week, we will focus on reading short texts aloud. We will learn how to use our voices to express different emotions and meanings in the text. Understanding punctuation marks, such as commas and full stops, will help us know when to pause or change our tone while reading.

Let's read a short story together: 'U Mkhonto no Mavula'. In this story, Mkhonto goes to the river to fetch water. As he walks, he sees many animals. When we read this story, pay attention to the punctuation. For example, when you see a question mark, your voice should rise at the end of the sentence.

Now, I want you to pair up with a partner. Each of you will take turns reading a paragraph from the story we just discussed. Remember to use expression in your voice. After reading, discuss with your partner what you liked about the story and how the characters felt. This will help you understand the text better and improve your speaking skills.

For your independent practice, write three sentences about your favorite animal. Make sure to use correct punctuation. For example, if you write, 'The lion is big', remember to end with a full stop. After writing, read your sentences aloud to yourself, focusing on how you express each sentence. This will help reinforce your reading fluency.

• Reading without stopping
• Reading smoothly and with expression
• Reading very fast
• Reading silently

Answer: Reading smoothly and with expression

Reading fluency involves reading text smoothly and with the right expression to convey meaning.

• Comma
• Exclamation mark
• Question mark
• Full stop

Answer: Comma

A comma indicates a brief pause in a sentence.

Answer: By changing the tone of my voice.

Changing the tone of your voice helps convey emotions and meanings in the text.

• Read faster
• Lower your voice
• Raise your voice
• Skip the sentence

Answer: Raise your voice

When you see a question mark, you should raise your voice to indicate a question.

Answer: My favorite food is pizza.

This sentence is a simple statement that expresses a preference.

• .
• ,
• !
• ?

Answer: .

A full stop is represented by a dot (.) and indicates the end of a sentence.

• To make writing look pretty
• To help the reader understand the text
• To make sentences longer
• To confuse the reader

Answer: To help the reader understand the text

Punctuation helps clarify the meaning of sentences and guides the reader on how to read them.