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My Inside Voice

aarendall

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

My Inside Voice Lesson Plan

Students will understand the concept of an "inside voice" and practice using appropriate voice levels in different classroom situations.

Learning to use an inside voice helps create a calm and productive learning environment. It also teaches children important self-regulation and social skills, allowing everyone to hear and be heard when needed.

Audience

Pre-K Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through a story, discussion, and interactive activity.

Materials

My Inside Voice Slide Deck, Voice Volume Cards (print and cut out - see Voice Volume Activity), and Inside Voice Cool Down

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the My Inside Voice Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print and cut out the Voice Volume Activity cards.
  • Print copies of the Inside Voice Cool Down.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Outside vs. Inside

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students about "loud" and "quiet" places they know. Use contrasting examples (e.g., playground vs. library).
    - Ask: "When we're inside our classroom, do we use our outside voice or our inside voice? Why?" (Refer to Slide 1 and Slide 2)

Step 2

Introducing My Inside Voice

10 minutes

  • Explain that an "inside voice" is a calm, quiet voice perfect for learning and talking with friends in the classroom.
    - Read a short story or use the My Inside Voice Slide Deck to introduce scenarios where an inside voice is important. (Refer to Slide 3 and Slide 4)
    - Ask questions like: "What happens if everyone uses their outside voice inside? Can we hear our friends then?"

Step 3

Voice Volume Activity

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Voice Volume Activity cards. Show students the different levels (e.g., whispering, talking, shouting).
    - Have students practice different voice levels. Call out a scenario (e.g., "We're playing quietly," "It's time for lunch") and have them demonstrate the appropriate voice level. (Refer to Slide 5)
    - Provide positive reinforcement for using appropriate voice levels.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Inside Voice Pledge

5 minutes

  • Gather students and review the importance of their inside voice. (Refer to Slide 6)
    - Distribute the Inside Voice Cool Down for individual reflection and a simple "Inside Voice Pledge."
    - Ask: "What is one way you can remember to use your inside voice today?"
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Slide Deck

Outside Voice, Inside Voice

Where do we use our LOUD voices?
Where do we use our QUIET voices?

Welcome students and set a calm tone. Ask students to share examples of loud and quiet places. Guide them to think about why some places are loud and others are quiet.

Our Classroom Voice

In our classroom, we use our...

🤫 Inside Voice 🤫

Why?

Transition to the classroom setting. Ask: "What kind of voice do we use in our classroom?" Emphasize that the classroom is a learning space where we need to hear each other.

What is an Inside Voice?

An Inside Voice is:

  • Calm and quiet
  • Kind to our ears
  • Helps everyone learn
  • Helps us hear our friends

Introduce the concept of an "inside voice." Explain it's calm, kind, and helps everyone learn. Share examples of when an inside voice is helpful (e.g., reading, talking to a friend, listening to the teacher).

What if We Use Our Outside Voice Inside?

If we use our outside voice inside, it can be:

  • Too loud!
  • Hard to hear our friends
  • Hard to learn

Provide a contrasting example. Ask what happens if we use an outside voice inside. Discuss how it can make it hard to concentrate or hurt our ears.

Voice Volume Practice!

Let's practice our voices!

  • Whisper
  • Talking Voice
  • Shouting Voice

When do we use each one?

Introduce the Voice Volume Activity. Explain that different situations need different voice levels. Show the cards and have them practice.

Our Inside Voice Pledge

I will try my best to use my inside voice!

It helps our classroom be:

  • Calm
  • Happy
  • A great place to learn!

Conclude by reinforcing the importance of the inside voice for a happy classroom. Lead the pledge and ask for one way they'll remember.

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Activity

Voice Volume Activity Cards

Instructions: Print these cards, cut them out, and use them to help students visualize and practice different voice levels. The teacher will call out scenarios, and students will hold up the card that represents the appropriate voice volume, or simply practice the voice level.

🤫 Whisper Voice

  • When to use: When someone is sleeping, telling a secret, or working very close to a friend.
  • Sound: Very quiet, almost no sound.







🗣️ Talking Voice (Inside Voice)

  • When to use: When talking to friends in the classroom, sharing ideas during circle time, or asking the teacher a question.
  • Sound: Clear, calm, and friendly. Everyone nearby can hear you, but it's not too loud.







📢 Outside Voice

  • When to use: When playing outside, on the playground, or when you need to call to someone far away.
  • Sound: Loud and clear, so people far away can hear you.







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Cool Down

Inside Voice Cool Down: My Voice Promise

Now that we've talked about our amazing inside voices, let's take a moment to think about how we can remember to use them.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What is one time today you will remember to use your inside voice? (Think about circle time, playing with toys, or talking to a friend.)



  2. How does it feel when everyone uses their inside voice in our classroom?



  3. Draw a picture of yourself using your inside voice! What does your face look like? What are you doing?






Inside Voice Promise:

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