Skill: Using an Appropriate Voice Volume and Tone | Learning Goal: Communication
Grades: 4-5 | Activity Type: Lesson | Purpose: 🟢 Core Instruction
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
How Do People Match Their Voice to the Situation?
Today, we'll talk about what we're saying with the tone of our voice and about how loud our voice should be.
“Voices have a language of their own and communicate much more than the words that they say.”
What do you notice or wonder about this quote? What does it make you think of?
Indu Muralidharan
Author
WHY USING AN APPROPRIATE VOICE IS IMPORTANT: |
👍 People will like your calm voice and enjoy being around you. 👍 It keeps your conversations private. 👍 It helps people to understand what you're trying to say. 👍 People around you can hear you, hear each other, and/or hear things they need to listen to. |
Pretend you need to teach someone else how to make sure that their voice tone and the volume of their voice is appropriate.
What would you tell them to do or not to do?
Step 1: Listen to how loud your voice sounds and what it sounds like.
What do these voices sound like?
What other voices can you think of?
Step 2: Think about where you are and how loud your voice should be.
What do other people in the same place sound like? Do their voices sound like yours?
Your teacher is talking to the class.
How loud should your voice be?
There is an emergency and you need help right away.
How loud should your voice be?
Your teacher is sitting next to you helping you with a problem.
How loud should your voice be?
You’re walking down the hallway during class.
How loud should your voice be?
Your teacher just called on you to answer a question.
How loud should your voice be?
You’re working with a few other students at a table.
How loud should your voice be?
You’re playing basketball during gym class and you want someone to pass the ball to you.
How loud should your voice be?
Step 3: Make your voice louder, quieter, or the same.
If your voice is louder or softer than other people in the same place, you should make your voice match others.
What should you do if other people are talking too loud and it's breaking the rules? Should you match their volume or not?
Step 4: Try to make your voice sound kind and happy.
Can you think of a time when it would not be appropriate for your voice to sound happy?
Step 5: If your voice sounds upset, tell people why.
People will probably worry about why you're upset. They probably want to help you.
If you need to, use your calming tools, like taking deep breaths or counting to 10.
During silent reading, Marcus realizes he's whispering his words louder than he means to. The student next to him keeps glancing over. Other students are reading silently with their lips moving slightly.
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Emma feels frustrated about a math problem and notices her voice getting sharp with her partner. They're working well together, and her partner is trying to help. The teacher praised their teamwork earlier.
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During PE, Sofia finds herself yelling at her teammates during basketball. She wants them to pass the ball faster, but she sees them looking uncomfortable. Other teams are playing without shouting.
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When presenting his project, Tyler speaks so quietly that students in the back raise their hands saying they can't hear. He knows the material well and practiced at home. His teacher offers encouragement.
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At the media center, Isabella catches herself talking too loudly about her book with friends. Isabella's teacher glances their way, and other students are working quietly. Isabella has just reached the exciting part she wants to share.
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