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Your Voice: Sing Out Loud!

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Mrs Hilary

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Lesson Plan

Students will learn basic vocal warm-up techniques and understand the importance of healthy vocal habits for singing. They will also gain confidence in using their voices.

Singing is a fun and expressive activity, and learning to sing safely helps students develop a lifelong appreciation for music and self-expression.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive, practical, and encouraging.

Materials

  • Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck, - Vocal Warm-Up Worksheet, and - Singing Confidence Journal

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
  • Ensure audio playback is working for any optional musical examples.
  • Print copies of the Vocal Warm-Up Worksheet and Singing Confidence Journal if you plan to use physical copies.

Step 1

Introduction: Find Your Voice! (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Greet students and introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to explore the amazing instrument we all carry with us: our voice! We'll learn how to warm it up and keep it healthy so we can sing out loud with confidence!"
  • Ask: "What's your favorite song to sing? What makes a voice sound good?" (Brief discussion).
  • Display Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck - Slide 1-2.

Step 2

Vocal Warm-Ups: Get Ready to Sing! (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Explain the importance of warming up. "Just like athletes stretch before a game, singers warm up their voices to prevent strain and help them sing better."
  • Lead students through vocal warm-up exercises using the Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck - Slides 3-6.
    • Humming: Gently hum a comfortable tune. Feel the vibrations.
    • Siren Sounds: Make smooth 'whoop' sounds, sliding from low to high and back down.
    • Tongue Twisters: Try singing a simple tongue twister like 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers' to focus on articulation.
  • Distribute the Vocal Warm-Up Worksheet for students to follow along or practice later.

Step 3

Healthy Singing Habits: Keep Your Voice Strong (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Discuss key habits for vocal health. Display Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck - Slides 7-10.
    • Posture: "Stand or sit tall! Good posture allows your breath to flow freely, making singing easier."
    • Breathing: "Breathe from your diaphragm, not just your chest. Put a hand on your belly and feel it expand as you inhale deeply."
    • Hydration: "Water is your voice's best friend! Keeping hydrated keeps your vocal cords happy and flexible."
  • Engage students with short demonstrations and practice for each habit.

Step 4

Practice & Reflection: Sing Your Song! (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Choose a simple, well-known song for the class to sing together, applying their new warm-ups and healthy habits. (e.g., "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or a short chorus from a popular kid's song).
  • After singing, distribute the Singing Confidence Journal.
  • Ask students to reflect on their experience: "How did your voice feel after warming up? What healthy habit will you remember most?" Display Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck - Slide 11-12.

Step 5

Conclusion: Your Voice is a Gift! (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Reiterate that every voice is unique and special. "Keep practicing these tips, and never stop sharing your wonderful voice with the world!"
  • Thank students for their participation. Display Your Voice: Sing Out Loud! Slide Deck - Slide 13.
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Slide Deck

Your Voice: Sing Out Loud!

Let's discover the power and joy of your amazing voice!

Welcome students and build excitement for exploring their voices. Emphasize that singing is for everyone.

What is Singing?

Singing is making music with your voice! It's a way to express feelings, tell stories, and have fun. Everyone has a unique voice!

Start by asking students what they think singing is or what it means to them. Connect it to expressing feelings or telling stories.

Warm Up Your Voice!

Just like athletes warm up their bodies, singers warm up their voices! It helps your voice get ready to sing and prevents it from getting tired.

Explain the importance of warming up. Use an analogy like stretching before sports to make it relatable. Mention preventing strain.

Vocal Warm-Up: Humming

Close your lips gently and hum a soft tune. Feel the buzz in your lips and nose! Try humming from a low sound to a high sound.

Guide students to gently hum, feeling the vibrations. Encourage them to try different pitches (high/low) and listen to their own sound.

Vocal Warm-Up: Siren Sounds

Make a 'whoop' sound, sliding your voice smoothly from low to high and back down, like a siren or a roller coaster!

Demonstrate a siren sound, starting low and smoothly gliding up and down. Encourage students to make it as smooth as possible.

Vocal Warm-Up: Tongue Twisters

Let's try singing a fun tongue twister to wake up our words! How about: 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.'

Choose a simple tongue twister. The goal is clear pronunciation, not speed. Focus on articulating each word clearly.

Healthy Singing Habits

To keep your voice strong and healthy, remember these three tips:

  1. Good Posture
  2. Deep Breaths
  3. Hydration

Introduce the three main pillars of healthy singing. Briefly explain why each is important for vocal health.

1. Stand Tall!

Good posture helps your breath flow freely. Stand or sit up straight, with your shoulders relaxed and your chin level.

Model good posture. Have students practice standing or sitting tall, shoulders relaxed, and head balanced.

2. Breathe Deep!

Take deep breaths from your belly, not just your chest. Put a hand on your stomach and feel it move out as you breathe in.

Guide students to place a hand on their belly and breathe deeply, feeling their hand move out as they inhale. Emphasize breathing from the diaphragm.

3. Drink Water!

Your vocal cords need water to work their best! Drink plenty of water to keep them hydrated and happy.

Explain how water keeps vocal cords lubricated. Encourage students to drink water throughout the day, not just when they're thirsty.

Sing with Confidence!

Every voice is unique and wonderful. Don't be afraid to share your song! The most important thing is to have fun and express yourself.

Offer words of encouragement. Remind them that every voice is valuable and unique. Prepare to transition to a short singing activity.

Time to Reflect!

What did you learn about your voice today? How will you use these tips to sing more confidently?

Introduce the Singing Confidence Journal and explain the reflection prompt. Give them a few minutes to think or write.

Keep Singing!

Your voice is a gift! Keep practicing your warm-ups and healthy habits, and let your unique sound shine!

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the joy of singing and the importance of practicing healthy vocal habits. Encourage them to keep exploring music.

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Worksheet

Vocal Warm-Up Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Hello, amazing singer! Just like you warm up your body before playing, it's super important to warm up your voice before you sing. Let's get those vocal cords ready!

Part 1: Gentle Warm-Ups

  1. Humming: Close your lips gently and make a soft humming sound. Try to hum different notes, going from low to high like a siren, and then back down. How does it feel in your nose and lips?



  2. Siren Sounds: Make a smooth "whoop" sound, sliding your voice from a low pitch to a high pitch, and then back down again. Imagine you are a siren on an emergency vehicle!



  3. Lip Trills (Optional): Gently blow air through your lips so they vibrate, making a "brrrrr" sound. If this is tricky, just try buzzing your lips together.



Part 2: Articulation Practice

  1. Tongue Twisters: Try to sing or speak these tongue twisters slowly and clearly, then try them a little faster. Focus on making every word crisp!
    • "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
    • "She sells seashells by the seashore."
    • "Red lorry, yellow lorry."



Part 3: Breathing for Singing

  1. Belly Breathing: Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. When you breathe in, try to make only the hand on your belly move out. When you breathe out, feel your belly flatten. This is how singers get powerful breaths!



Check-In!

After these warm-ups, how does your voice feel? (Circle one)

  • Ready to sing!
  • A little more awake.
  • About the same.

What was your favorite warm-up exercise and why?



lenny
lenny

Journal

Singing Confidence Journal

Name: ____________________________

Your voice is a powerful tool for expression! Use this journal to reflect on your singing journey and build confidence.

Prompt 1: My Voice Today

Before we started, how did you feel about singing? Did you feel confident, a little shy, or something else? Describe your feelings.












Prompt 2: What I Learned

What is one new thing you learned about your voice or about healthy singing habits today? How might this help you sing better or feel more comfortable?












Prompt 3: My Favorite Warm-Up

Which vocal warm-up exercise did you enjoy the most? Why? How did it make your voice feel?












Prompt 4: Singing Out Loud!

Think about a time you want to use your voice to sing out loud (maybe in class, with friends, or just by yourself!). What would you like to sing, and how do you think your new healthy habits will help you?













My Singing Goal

Write down one small goal you have for your singing voice. (For example: "I will hum for 1 minute every day," or "I will stand tall when I sing.")

My Goal: ____________________________________________________________________

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lenny