During each hot timing, you rate the student's expression from 1 to 4. The expression score indicates how well the student used expression while reading the story. The student must receive an expression score of 2 or higher to pass the story. Use the table below to determine the appropriate rating:
| Select | If the student: |
| 1 | Reads haltingly; seldom uses phrasing; reads without expression. |
| 2 | Reads phrases of three or four words (especially for familiar words); usually pauses for punctuation. |
| 3 | Usually uses correct phrasing; uses appropriate inflection and attends to punctuation in some of the story. |
| 4 | Reads conversationally; consistently uses correct phrasing and inflection; attends to all punctuation. |
