Boys Town Skill of the Week
Voice Tone
Voice Tone
Many times students get into trouble because of how they say things rather than what they say. Helping students to read the cues of a situation can help them learn to adjust their voice tone so it is appropriate for the situation.
Appropriate Voice
Voice Tone
Introduce the skill - start with an anchor chart for "Using an Appropriate Voice Tone" - in a loud voice, begin the lesson by going over the steps of the skill - ask students how they felt when you were talking in such a loud voice - discuss with students times they have used a voice that was too soft or too loud for the situation....examples may include:
- whispering when talking to someone in class
- yelling to get a friend's attention in the hallway
- talking loudly in a group when they were supposed to be working quietly
Describe the appropriate behavior
- Listen to the level of the voices around you
- Change your voice to match
- Watch and listen for visual and verbal cues and adjust your voice as needed
Give a reason
- People are more likely to listen to what you have to say
- You don't disturb the other students when they are trying to work
- People can hear you when you are talking to them
Practice
- Have students get in small groups or partners to practice the skill
Role Play
- You enter the classroom late and others are taking a test
- You are on the playground when someone falls. You need the teacher to come over and help you
- The teacher asks students to work in groups to complete an assignment
- You are at one end of the hallway when you see a friend you want to talk to at the other end
- You are at a school basketball game and cheerleaders are trying to get everyone to cheer for your team
Journaling ideas
- Write about a time you used in inappropriate voice tone and how others responded
- Write about a time you used an appropriate voice tone and how you felt
Feedback
- Each day review the steps of the skill, discuss why it is important to use the skill, and practice when possible
- Praise specific steps followed and give feedback on areas of improvement
- Let students know you will be watching in order to "catch" them using the skill
- Continue to praise and re-teach as needed
Outside Voices, Inside Voices Song - Music for Classroom Management
Kermit and Elmo LOUD and QUIET - Classic Sesame Street
Quiet Loud Quiet Song | Songs for Children | Learn English Kids
The Loud Book by Deborah Underwood
The Loud Book compiles kid-friendly noises from morning to night.
The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
Kids can explore the idea of "many kinds of quiet" -- and also learn the importance of finding peaceful moments to reflect and rest. The animals that populate this book are very sweet in their quiet moments.
Crash Bang Donkey by Jill Newton
First [Donkey] makes a racket with his great big drum and tootling trumpet. Then he raises a ruckus banging the piano and jamming his guitar! Farmer Gruff, of course, isn't pleased at all. But one day, everyone realizes that just as there's a time to be quiet, there's a time to be noisy, too, and at last Donkey discovers his purpose.
Quiet Loud by Leslie Patricelli
Sniffles are quiet, but sneezes are loud. Amiably illustrated in a bright, graphic style, Leslie Patricelli’s spirited board book, QUIET LOUD, stars an obliging, bald, and very expressive toddler who acts out each pair of opposites with comically dramatic effect.
Hether Darnell
Academic & Behavior Facilitator
Tech Academy @Pettit Park
Email: hdarnell@kokomo.k12.in.us
Website: http://leadyourheartout.blogspot.com/
Location: 901 W Havens St, Kokomo, IN, United States
Phone: 765-454-7075
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadyourheartout/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Twitter: @HetherDarnell