Developing the “Storyteller Voice” with Elvis the Elf

This week, our children have been diving into the delightful story of Elvis the Elf. As we’ve been reading, the focus has been on developing fluency â€” reading smoothly, with expression, and understanding the meaning behind the words.

Today, we took this a step further by introducing something special: the Storyteller Voice

The storyteller voice helps bring a story to life! It’s how readers use expression, tone, and pacing to make the story more engaging for the listener. For example, when Elvis feels excited or surprised, our voices might sound brighter or faster. When something mysterious happens, our voices might slow down and become softer.

By using their storyteller voices, children are not only making their reading more interesting to hear, but also deepening their understanding of the characters and events in the story. Thinking about how Elvis might sound, or why a moment feels happy, sad, or funny, helps them connect more deeply with the text.

You can support this at home by:

  • Encouraging your child to read aloud to you, using their storyteller voice.
  • Taking turns reading different characters or sections.
  • Talking together about how the story made you feel and why the characters might act or speak a certain way.

We’re so proud of how confidently the children are growing as expressive, thoughtful readers. Elvis the Elf has certainly helped us sprinkle a little storytelling magic into our reading this week! 

1CU’s Cheeky Phonics!

In Year 1, we have been really working hard on our phonics, especially looking for those sneaky special friends that are hiding in words. To help us find them we decided to dot and dash our words, but with a cheeky twist! We hope our lovely cleaners won’t be too upset, we did our best to tidy up after!

Thank you Year 1 grown-ups!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you wonderful grown-ups who came to our phonics workshop this morning. The children were so excited to show off what they have been learning and teach you how to help them. If you have any more questions regarding the Phonics Screening or anything Phonics, please feel free to ask!

Phonics Stay & Learn!

Hi! 

As some of you may know, in June the children will sitting their Phonics Screening Check. 

This year we have been following the Read Write Inc scheme and we would like to share with you some of the practices so you could support your child further. I invite you to come and see this in action. As well as having the opportunity to work with your child and practice their sounds. 

If you could enter your child’s name below to suggest that you would like to attend, we will be having the session on Friday 10th May at 9:00. 

Miss Ketteringham

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-dolTLmNKL6cbCi5d_NGbbRNQ2kQvbTpQ3OAQxpuaakvrUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Phonics Club!

A big thank you to Kayson, Elisa, Elizabeth, Bailey, Kamari and Flynn who stayed behind to practice their Phonics tonight. We played snakes and ladders and Trash or Treasure on the iPads. I loved seeing how excited you were about Phonics. See you next week!

Fluent Readers 📖

A huge well done to Ruby-Ann and Kobin, today is only the second time they have looked at this book and they could read most of it fluently. Well done 👏🏻

Phonics Superstars!

Well done to these superstars. Very proud of some of the expression they used whilst reading their new book. Well done Kamari, Bailey, Lola and Johnboy. ⭐️

Phonics Superstars ⭐️

Shout out to Johnboy, Maisie, Kobin and Riley! You were fantastic in phonics this morning. I loved how well you were listening and how beautifully you worked with your partner. Well done!

Phonics Superstars! ⭐️

Phonics stars of the day! Well done Riley, Johnboy, Flynn, Bailey, Maisie, Lola, Benson and Ruby-Ann!