To control and use the appropriate amount of voice for the situation. Your Voice To control and use the appropriate amount of voice for the situation.

Objectives To emphasise the importance of controlling your voice. To adapt your voice to any situation.

Introduction Controlling your voice is a life skill. If you look after your voice, you are less likely to have vocal problems later in life. Your tongue is the most exercised muscle in the body.

Situations Chatting with your friends face to face On the phone, plus voice messages Talking to a group of people (small or large group) Singing (it’s a musical instrument you have with you all your life.) To shout To whisper

Warm up The muscles needed to produce your voice need to be warmed up and cooled down. Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, then slowly release through the count of 4. Repeat using ‘zzzzz’ Repeat using ‘zzzzz’ siren on exhaling.

Activity 1 Favourite Music You have 15 seconds to talk to your partner about your favourite music. Your partner is to listen very carefully.

Activity 1 feedback What was it like? Were there any problems? How did you feel while you were talking/listening? How does your voice feel now? What about your classroom environment?

Activity 2 Food You have 15 seconds to inform your partner what you ate for breakfast OR lunch today....... BUT YOU MUST NOT USE ANY VOICE. Your partner must watch you carefully.

Activity 2 feedback What was it like? Where there any problems? How did you feel while you were watching? How was your classroom environment different this time?

HMV

Activity 3 Favourite Music Using your 15cm voice: You have 15 seconds to talk to your partner about your favourite music. Your partner is to listen very carefully

Activity 3 Feedback What was it like? Were there any problems? How did you feel while you were talking/listening? How does your voice feel now? Why is your classroom environment different this time?

Activity 4 Volunteer pair please. Using 2m voice: Tell your partner about your favourite music.

Activity 4 Feedback In what way did it feel different? What was it like this time? Were there any problems? How did you feel while you were talking/listening? How does your voice feel now?

Warming Down We are now going to relax the muscles we have used. Breathe in for 4 counts, open your mouth to ‘ah’ during the count of 4. Now slowly let all the air out silently over 4 counts.

How successful were we? Why is it important to control our voice? How can we adapt our voice to each particular situation?

Plenary This visual aid needs an arrow which can easily be moved to indicate noise levels. (Worth making one for classroom wall)