Lesson Plan
Your Voice: Just Right! Lesson Plan
Students will learn to identify appropriate tone and volume when speaking with adults and practice strategies for adjusting their voice to communicate effectively.
Effective communication helps us build stronger relationships, express ourselves clearly, and be understood by others. Learning to adjust our voice can make conversations more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
Audience
Adult Learners with Disabilities
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and a fun activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Your Voice Warm-Up, Understanding Your Voice Reading, Voice Check-In Activity, Communication Practice Worksheet, Discussion Cards: How Do I Sound?, Quiz: My Communication Voice, and Your Voice Just Right Slide Deck
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Your Voice Just Right! Lesson Plan, Your Voice Just Right Slide Deck, Your Voice Warm-Up, Understanding Your Voice Reading, Voice Check-In Activity, Communication Practice Worksheet, Discussion Cards: How Do I Sound?, and Quiz: My Communication Voice.
- Print copies of the Understanding Your Voice Reading, Communication Practice Worksheet, Discussion Cards: How Do I Sound?, and Quiz: My Communication Voice.
- Prepare whiteboard or projector for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Your Voice
10 minutes
- Begin with the Your Voice Warm-Up activity.
- Ask students to reflect on times their voice might have been too loud or too quiet.
Step 2
Introduction to Voice and Tone
10 minutes
- Use the Your Voice Just Right Slide Deck to introduce the concepts of tone and volume.
- Discuss how different tones and volumes convey different messages.
Step 3
Reading: Understanding Your Voice
10 minutes
- Distribute and read the Understanding Your Voice Reading aloud as a class or in small groups.
- After the reading, lead a short discussion on key takeaways.
Step 4
Activity: Voice Check-In
15 minutes
- Engage students in the Voice Check-In Activity.
- Provide scenarios where students practice adjusting their voice and tone.
Step 5
Guided Practice: Communication Scenarios
10 minutes
- Distribute the Communication Practice Worksheet.
- Work through a few scenarios together, modeling appropriate responses.
- Allow students to complete the remaining scenarios independently or in pairs.
Step 6
Discussion: How Do I Sound?
15 minutes
- Facilitate a group discussion using the Discussion Cards: How Do I Sound?.
- Encourage students to share their experiences and strategies.
Step 7
Wrap-Up and Quiz
5 minutes
- Review the main points of the lesson.
- Administer the Quiz: My Communication Voice as an exit ticket to check for understanding.
Slide Deck
Your Voice: Just Right!
How we use our voice to communicate!
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: how our voice helps us communicate. Ask them to think about different ways people use their voices.
What is Volume?
- How loud or quiet your voice is.
- Whisper voice (quiet)
- Speaking voice (just right)
- Shouting voice (loud)
Introduce the concept of 'voice volume.' Ask students to demonstrate a 'whisper voice' and a 'shouting voice.' Explain that both have their place, but we need to choose the 'just right' volume.
What is Tone?
- The feeling in your voice.
- Happy tone
- Calm tone
- Excited tone
- Serious tone
Discuss 'voice tone.' Explain that tone is how we say words, which can show feelings like happy, sad, or angry. Give examples, e.g., saying 'hello' happily vs. sadly.
Why Does it Matter?
- To be understood clearly.
- To show respect to others, especially adults.
- To make conversations pleasant for everyone.
- To express your feelings in a helpful way.
Explain why it's important to use the 'just right' volume and tone, especially when talking to adults. Emphasize respect and clear understanding.
Sharing Your Stories!
- It's fun to share stories about your past!
- Sometimes when we're excited, our voice can get louder.
- Remember to use your 'just right' voice, even when sharing exciting news or memories.
Introduce the idea of 'story time' and how sometimes when we share stories, our voice might get excited and louder. Acknowledge this is natural but provide a gentle reminder to be aware of volume, especially in indoor settings or with adults.
Let's Practice!
How can we make sure our voice is 'just right'?
Think before you speak:
- Is my voice too loud? Too quiet?
- Does my voice sound friendly? Annoyed?
Let's try!
Encourage students to practice. Ask them to think of a simple phrase, like 'Good morning,' and practice saying it with different volumes and tones. This sets up the activity.
Key Takeaways
- Our voice volume is how loud or quiet we are.
- Our voice tone is the feeling in our voice.
- Using a 'just right' voice helps everyone understand and enjoy conversations.
Conclude by reiterating the main point: being mindful of our voice helps us communicate better. Briefly mention the quiz as a way to check their understanding.
Warm Up
Your Voice Warm-Up: Loud or Quiet?
Instructions: Listen to the sentences I say. When you hear a sentence, show me with your hands if you think the voice should be LOUD (hands up high) or QUIET (hands down low).
Reading
Understanding Your Voice: Just Right!
Our voice is an amazing tool! We use it to talk, to sing, and to tell stories. But did you know that how we use our voice can change how people understand us?
Volume: Not Too Loud, Not Too Quiet
Volume is how loud or quiet your voice is. Imagine you are in a library. Should your voice be loud or quiet? Quiet! What about at a sports game? Loud! There are different times and places for different volumes.
When we talk to adults, especially teachers, doctors, or people helping us, it's usually best to use a 'just right' volume. This means not too loud that it hurts their ears, and not too quiet that they can't hear you. A 'just right' volume helps everyone understand each other clearly.
Sharing Stories and Excitement
Sometimes when we get excited, like when we are telling a fun story or remembering something from the past, our voice can get louder without us even noticing! It's okay to be excited, but it's helpful to remember to bring our voice back to a 'just right' volume, especially indoors or when talking one-on-one with an adult.
Tone: The Feeling in Your Voice
Tone is the feeling in your voice. Think about how your voice sounds when you are:
- Happy: Your voice might sound light and cheerful.
- Sad: Your voice might be soft and slow.
- Surprised: Your voice might go up high quickly!
Our tone helps people understand how we are feeling. When we talk to adults, using a calm and polite tone shows respect. Even if we are feeling frustrated, we can try to use a calm tone to help others listen to what we are saying.
Why is a 'Just Right' Voice Important?
Using a 'just right' volume and a respectful tone helps us in many ways:
- People listen to you more: When your voice is clear and calm, people are more likely to pay attention.
- You show respect: Using a good voice shows you respect the person you are talking to.
- You feel good: Good communication helps everyone feel comfortable and happy.
Practicing with our voice can help us use this amazing tool in the best way possible!
Activity
Voice Check-In Activity
Goal: Practice adjusting your voice volume and tone for different situations.
Instructions: The teacher will read a scenario. After each scenario, think about what kind of voice (loud, quiet, or just right) and what kind of tone (happy, calm, serious, excited) would be best. Then, you will practice saying a short phrase with that voice.
Scenario 1: Talking to your teacher in the classroom.
- Volume: Should your voice be loud, quiet, or just right?
- Tone: Should your tone be excited, calm, or silly?
- Practice Phrase:
Worksheet
Communication Practice: My Voice Choices
Instructions: Read each situation. Decide if you need to use a LOUD, QUIET, or JUST RIGHT volume, and what kind of TONE (like happy, calm, serious). Write your answer and then practice saying what you would say.
Situation 1: You are excited to tell your friend about a fun memory from yesterday.
- Volume:
- Tone:
- What you would say:
Situation 2: You are asking your teacher for help with your schoolwork.
- Volume:
- Tone:
- What you would say:
Situation 3: You are in the doctor's office waiting room.
- Volume:
- Tone:
- What you would say:
Situation 4: You are telling your mom or dad about your day when you get home.
- Volume:
- Tone:
- What you would say:
Situation 5: You are at the store and need to ask an adult worker where something is.
- Volume:
- Tone:
- What you would say:
Discussion
Discussion Cards: How Do I Sound?
Instructions: The teacher will read a question or scenario. Take turns sharing your ideas with the group. Remember to listen to others and use your 'just right' voice.
Card 1
Think about a time someone spoke to you in a very loud voice. How did that make you feel?
Card 2
Think about a time someone spoke to you in a very quiet voice, and you couldn't hear them well. What happened?
Card 3
Why is it important to use a 'just right' voice when talking to adults like your teachers or doctors?
Card 4
What does it mean to have a 'calm tone' in your voice? When would it be helpful to use a calm tone?
Card 5
When you get excited and want to share a story, how can you remember to keep your voice at a 'just right' volume?
Card 6
Practice saying 'Good morning' in a happy tone. Now try saying it in a serious tone. How did your voice change?
Card 7
What is one new thing you learned today about using your voice?
Card 8
Imagine you are talking to a new friend. What kind of voice would you try to use to make them feel comfortable?
Quiz
Quiz: My Communication Voice