Lesson Plan for Junior Secondary 2 - Cultural and Creative Arts - Voice Training

### Lesson Plan: Voice Training for JS2 Cultural and Creative Arts **Grade Level:** Junior Secondary 2 **Subject:** Cultural and Creative Arts **Duration:** 50 minutes **Topic:** Voice Training --- #### Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Understand the basic concepts of voice training. 2. Demonstrate proper breathing techniques for singing. 3. Perform vocal warm-up exercises. 4. Understand the importance of proper posture and diction in singing. #### Materials Needed: - Whiteboard and markers - Speaker and music player - Handouts with vocal exercises and lyrics (if required) - Water bottles (optional) - Keyboard/piano (optional but ideal for pitch practice) --- #### Lesson Procedure: 1. **Introduction (5 minutes):** - Greet the students and briefly discuss the importance of voice training in both singing and public speaking. - Introduce the day's objectives. 2. **Warm-Up Activity (5 minutes):** - Lead the students in a quick physical warm-up involving stretching and loosening of the neck and shoulders. - Explain how these physical exercises prepare the body for voice training. 3. **Breathing Techniques (10 minutes):** - Teach the students proper breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing. - Explain how to breathe deeply into the diaphragm rather than shallow breathing from the chest. - Demonstrate and have the students practice the technique by placing their hands on their stomachs to feel the movement. - Conduct a few guided breathing exercises to reinforce learning. 4. **Posture (5 minutes):** - Discuss and demonstrate the correct posture for singing, emphasizing the need for a straight back and relaxed shoulders. - Have the students stand and practice the proper posture. - Highlight how good posture aids in better breath control and sound projection. 5. **Vocal Warm-Up Exercises (15 minutes):** - Guide the students through various vocal warm-up exercises: - **Humming:** Starting softly and gently increasing volume. - **Lip Trills:** To loosen up the lips and facial muscles. - **Sirens:** Sliding from the lowest to the highest pitch. - **Scales:** Simple scales on "ah", "ee", or other vowels. - Demonstrate each exercise and ensure that students understand and can follow along. 6. **Diction and Articulation (10 minutes):** - Explain the importance of clear diction and articulation for effective singing. - Introduce tongue twisters and articulate exercises to enhance clarity. - Practice with a few simple tongue twisters: - Example: "Red leather, yellow leather", "Unique New York". - Give feedback and help the students with difficult sounds. 7. **Application (Practice Singing) (5 minutes):** - Choose a simple song or a familiar tune that students can practice using their newly learned techniques. - Guide the students to sing the song, focusing on proper breathing, posture, and clear diction. - Provide constructive feedback to improve their performance. 8. **Conclusion and Recap (5 minutes):** - Recap the main points learned during the lesson: breathing techniques, posture, vocal warm-ups, and diction. - Encourage students to practice these techniques regularly. - Answer any questions they might have regarding the lesson. --- #### Assessment: - Observe individual student participation during the exercises. - Encourage students to reflect on their own progress. - Provide positive feedback and areas for improvement. --- #### Extension Activities: - Encourage students to practice the vocal exercises at home or with friends. - Suggest joining a choir or vocal group to gain more practical experience. - Provide additional resources or handouts with advanced exercises for interested students. --- #### References: - Handouts on vocal exercises and posture techniques. - Online tutorials and videos on voice training basics. - Any relevant textbooks or materials related to cultural and creative arts. --- **Note:** Make sure to accommodate any student who might feel anxious or shy about participating in vocal activities. Create a supportive and non-judgmental environment to help build their confidence.