Four Kinds of Voices - Sing, Speak, Whisper, Shout

This lesson assumes that students have prior knowledge of the four different kinds of voices - sing, speak, whisper, and shout.

Begin by teaching students to sing the refrain of the poem. "Left, right, tie them up tight." The tune is Sol Mi Sol Sol Sol Mi. You can hear the notes here. However, you may sing any tune you want just make sure it is simple and easy to remember. 

Add motions. I have my students stomp left, then right, then roll hands like they are tying shoes.

Tell students that you are going to read a poem using the four different kinds of voices and they are going to sing their tune after each line. Review the four different kinds of voices if needed.

Read the poem, "The Giant's Shoes". You can find it here. When speaking as the narrator, use your speaking voice. When the Giant speaks, use your shouting voice. When the Shoeman speaks, use your whisper voice. After each line, lead students in singing the refrain twice.

Ask students about the voices they heard. Ask them which character used each voice, and why they think the character had that kind of voice. For example, they might say that the Giant has a shouting voice because he's very big. They usually identify shouting and whispering quickly. You may have to ask them who they think was using the speaking voice. They will typically point out it was you. Use this opportunity to explain what a narrator is. You may have to ask them who was singing. They will typically reply that they all were singing.