This lesson introduces emotional expression in literature, how it establishes the mood and how it emphasizes the importance of a story. Students learn that they are also capable of telling a story with expression.

"Setting the Stage" - Before starting the program, ask the students what their favorite stories are. Is it fun to listen to stories? Do they like scary stories or funny stories? Do they like to tell stories? Discuss the definition of 'literature'.

We start the lesson by talking about different emotions. Using images on the Learning Station, students talk about what emotions they recognize and the meaning of these emotions.

Videotape activity
To engage the students and encourage their emotional expression, informally videotape the students as a group as they show emotions using different facial expression as prompted by the learning station screen. Teachers may want to use the pause button on the top toolbar to control the speed of the highlighted icons.

"Mi-Su and the Moon"
The first story is a whimsical tale from Japan. A childless couple finds a baby, raises the child, and then realizes she is a fairy from the moon. It is first presented briefly…just the facts. Students realize the story is not very interesting in this story-telling form.
Hands-on activity - To provide a break, students can color a picture of the characters from the story. As they do, ask what they think the emotional expression should be. Ask them if they remember anything about the characters. This may not result in many ideas since the story has not been yet told with emotion. The story is then told with more emotion and description. Students quickly hear the difference and prefer the emotional version. After the story is told with emotion, key images from the story appear on the Learning Station. This is a touch-screen exercise. As the icons are illuminated, students discuss the emotions that were expressed in the story. Encourage students to express the emotions as fully as possible as opposed to one-word answers.

"Amelia Eagle"
This story takes place in central Africa.
If a globe is available in the classroom, show Africa's location compared to where the students live.
Again, the story is quickly presented without emotional expression.
Touch-screen activity - The story is then told again as students activate the icons on the Learning Station. Key images from the story are shown. As students touch the image, the story is told with more emotional expression and detail. Students are then instructed to choose a picture on the Learning Station to express how they think the characters of the story felt. Encourage the students to talk about similar situations and how they felt.
Hands-on activity - Using the reproducible printouts provided, teachers guide the students in making their own Amelia Eagle book. These include a preprinted cover page and sequential pictures from the story. With guidance, students can assemble the book and color the pictures. Staple the book together. Students should add their name to the cover to personalize each book. Students also create a nest for Amelia. This can be done simply as a coloring project if supplies are not available, but is more fun and challenging if the students are provided with torn brown paper, leaves, snips of string, or other materials to glue onto the background to create Amelia's nest. Cotton balls can be used for clouds. Provide feathers, if possible, for Amelia's wings. Students then take their books home to retell the story of Amelia and her adventure.

"The Eley Family"
As this story is introduced, students learn that emotional expression is used not just in story-telling, but also in the daily reporting of news and other events. The story of the Eley family and how their dog was lost and then found again illustrates this. Using news reporters, many emotions are represented in the story. Students then again review the emotions that are represented on the learning station as icons. Encourage students to express their thoughts about these emotions as they understand them.
Videotape activity - The students next role-play the story the just heard. Use the rewind button on the Learning Station toolbar if it is necessary to replay the story. Assign roles and take turns videotaping the students performance. Students can take turns interviewing each other using the image on the Learning Station as a guide. Encourage one or two full sentences with emotional expression.

Before Students Go Home - Review
Review the different expressions that were discussed
Is a story more fun to listen to if it is told with emotional expression?
What does the take-home book illustrate? How did Amelia feel?

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - Parents handout
Preprinted handout to color - Mi-Su and the Moon picture
Preprinted handouts of Amelia story to create stapled book
Crayons or markers, supplies to make 'nest' for book (brown torn paper,tissue paper, glue, optional cotton for clouds, feathers, twigs)
Videotape