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Voice Voices

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Lesson Plan

Voice Voices Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and use appropriate volume levels by practicing ‘inside voices’ and ‘outside voices’ through a fun echo game and guided activities.

Teaching volume control builds self-regulation, promotes respect for peers, and helps students recognize social expectations in different settings.

Audience

Pre-Kindergarten Students

Time

10 minutes

Approach

Interactive games with visual supports.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Volume Meter Circle (Warm-Up)

2 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and show the Volume Meter Visual
  • Demonstrate an ‘inside voice’ (whisper) pointing to the low zone on the meter
  • Demonstrate an ‘outside voice’ (louder) pointing to the high zone
  • Have the class practice both voices together

Step 2

Echo Voice Challenge (Game)

5 minutes

  • Shuffle the Echo Game Cue Cards with simple phrases (e.g., “Hello,” “Reading time,” “Let’s play!”)
  • Draw a card, say the phrase in either an inside or outside voice, and have students echo it matching your volume
  • Invite volunteers to come up, draw a card, and lead the echo for the class
  • Provide positive feedback for correct volume matching

Step 3

Silent Star Reward (Cool-Down)

3 minutes

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Slide Deck

Voice Voices

Practice using ‘inside voices’ vs. ‘outside voices’ through a fun echo game! Let’s learn when to whisper and when to be louder.

Welcome, friends! Today we’re going to learn about inside voices and outside voices. Use a cheerful tone, invite children to settle in and look at the title.

Warm-Up: Volume Meter Circle

  1. Gather in a circle and show the Volume Meter Visual.
  2. Whisper an ‘inside voice’ while pointing to the low (green) zone.
  3. Use an ‘outside voice’ pointing to the high (blue) zone.
  4. Class practices both voices together!

Hold up the Volume Meter Visual. Point to the low zone when whispering and the high zone when speaking louder. Encourage kids to mimic you.

Inside vs. Outside Voices

Inside Voice:
• Gentle whisper or soft talk
• Use when indoors, story time, or quiet work

Outside Voice:
• Louder, playful shout
• Use when outside, on the playground, or during games

Display the chart so all can see. Ask: “When do we use inside voices? When do we use outside voices?” Engage with questions.

Echo Voice Challenge (Game)

  1. Shuffle the Echo Game Cue Cards.
  2. Teacher draws a card, says the phrase in inside or outside voice, class echoes.
  3. Volunteers take turns leading the echo.
  4. Applaud correct volume matching!

Shuffle the cue cards beforehand. Demonstrate drawing a card and leading the echo. Give positive feedback (“Great inside voice!”). Invite volunteers.

Silent Star Reward (Cool-Down)

  1. Display the Inside-Outside Voice Chart.
  2. Each child shares one thing they’re thankful for using an inside voice.
  3. Award a Silent Star Reward Sticker for using the correct volume.
  4. Reinforce: “Inside voices help us all hear!”

Show the chart again. Guide each child to share one thing quietly. Hand out a sticker for each correct inside voice share.

Great Job, Everyone!

You did amazing with your inside and outside voices today!

Congratulate the class on their listening and volume control. Encourage them to practice inside and outside voices throughout the day.

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Warm Up

Volume Meter Warm-Up

Time: 2 minutes
Materials: Volume Meter Visual

Instructions:

  • Gather students in a circle and hold up the Volume Meter Visual.
  • Point to the green (low) zone and explain: “This is our inside voice.” Whisper a friendly “Hello!” as you point.
  • Point to the blue (high) zone and explain: “This is our outside voice.” Say a louder “Hello!” as you point.
  • Invite the class to practice: first whisper “Good morning, friends!” together, then say it in an outside voice.
  • Reinforce: “Inside voices help us hear quietly; outside voices let us play loudly!”
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Game

Echo Voice Challenge

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Echo Game Cue Cards

Instructions:

  1. Shuffle the Echo Game Cue Cards and place them face-down in a stack.
  2. Teacher draws the top card and reads the phrase in either an inside voice (whisper) or outside voice (loud).
  3. The whole class echoes the phrase, matching the volume level you used.
  4. Invite 2–3 volunteers to take turns drawing a card and leading the echo for the group.
  5. Provide positive feedback (“Great whisper, Mia!” or “Awesome loud voice, Jayden!”) to reinforce correct volume matching.

Sample Phrases for Cue Cards:

  • “Hello, friends!”
  • “Story time!”
  • “Line up, please.”
  • “Let’s play together.”
  • “Good job, everyone!”

Learning Tip: Encourage children to watch your hand on the Volume Meter Visual as they echo, helping them connect the level they hear to the visual cue for inside vs. outside voices.

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Cool Down

Silent Star Reward

Time: 3 minutes
Materials: Inside-Outside Voice Chart, Silent Star Reward Stickers

Instructions:

  1. Display the Inside-Outside Voice Chart.
  2. Invite each child to share one thing they’re thankful for using an inside voice.
  3. After each share, award a Silent Star Reward Sticker for using the correct volume.
  4. Reinforce: “Inside voices help everyone hear each other!”
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