Vocal Technique Unit
Mrs. Emily Fitzpatrick
This unit was created through goal-directed instructional design with a focus on including principles of Universal Design for Learning. I have implemented it with fourteen classes of third grade students and have enjoyed seeing students make connections between the many singing voices they hear around them each day and what is considered to be proper vocal technique.
Goal-Directed Instructional Design
This was the first step in creating the vocal technique unit you will find below.
Goal-directed Instructional Design Plan - 3rd Grade Vocal Technique
Author - Mrs. Emily Fitzpatrick
Goal-directed Instructional Design Plan - 3rd Grade Vocal Technique
Author - Mrs. Emily Fitzpatrick
- A problem or a need – there must be a problem of practice or an educational need that should be addressed during the lesson. Learning how to use the voice properly is a matter of health and of opening opportunities in the performing arts. The goal during this lesson is to teach students how to use their voices in a healthy way that will improve their confidence and potentially lead them to performance opportunities in the future.
- A real-world performance – how the learning objective fit into a real-world activity or need.- All students at Lakeview Elementary School sing in annual Christmas and Spring programs at a minimum. Students involved in Lakeview Chorus sing publicly many times throughout the school year. Many students also audition for musicals and talent shows outside of the music department. This lesson will give students basic techniques to improve their confidence and performance in these real-world opportunities.
- An instructional objective – the objectives are based on the final outcome, activity or test. These objectives will each be different for the four types of knowledge; performing skills, recalling facts, identifying examples of concepts, and applying principles.
- Students will complete a mock audition for Lakeview Chorus. (performing skills, applying principles)
- Students will evaluate vocal technique of other singers by first documenting their first thoughts on the singers and then reflecting more later. (identifying examples of concepts)
- A set of essential content – the basic ideas and skills that will allow the learner to complete the task or understand the content.- Aspects of vocal technique including posture, breath management, vowel formation, vocal anatomy, and projection will be explored. Videos showing how the vocal cords work in comparison to guitar strings are great modifications of previously used posters and oral explanations. Skills that will be evaluated are applying the principles of vocal technique to a mock audition and distinguishing between proper and improper vocal technique.
- An evaluation consisting of a test or observation – an assessment, observation or product showing that the objectives can be accomplished in the real-world setting.- Students will be assessed on their ability to distinguish between proper and improper vocal technique when shown different examples. They will be observed and given feedback on a mock audition for the school’s select chorus.
- A method to help participants learn – the method to deliver the content; a lesson.- A lesson plan and worksheet are available to view at emfitz.weebly.com/showcase.
- Motivation: Meaningfullness – content and activities must have meaning for the learner- All students will be able to apply their knowledge of vocal technique and how the voice works during the Christmas and Spring programs. Many students will have the internal motivation of trying to improve their chances of being selected for Lakeview Chorus in 4th grade. Pleasant consequences – the effects that achieving the goal will have on the learner- By knowing how the human voice works and how to use it to its fullest potential, students will gain self-confidence, as their voice is really a part of who they are. Novelty – an attention-getting, humorous or curious manner that relates to the useful information in your lesson - Students will be engaged in stretching, breathing, and vocal activities that will get them moving. They will most likely find the teacher’s model of some of the exercises to be humorous. Some may also find interest in a short video about Adele’s vocal struggles. This video on YouTube acts as an augmentation of a television broadcast because it is available at any time.
- Socialization - a strong motivator for student learning- Students will perform their mock auditions in groups of students of the same gender. Students will give each other positive feedback at the end of the lesson.
- Audience – 3rd Grade students with knowledge of concepts of higher/lower, faster/slower, and louder/softer and three years of experience singing in school. They will also have knowledge of pitch and volume, experience with "echoing" or "call and response," and a basic idea of what sounds "good" and what sounds "bad." (These preconceptions will be molded during the lesson.)
- Technology Needs – the computers, software, programs (such as Angel or other CMS’s) printers, equipment, Internet access, time in the computer lab will be needed to successfully complete your technology-rich lesson. School computer with high-speed Internet access and a data projector connected to computer.
Applications of Principles of Universal Design of Learning (UDL)
After creating a unit plan, I analyzed it for principals of UDL and modified it to fit more of them.
(Note: "Miss Strazzinski" was my maiden name.)
(Note: "Miss Strazzinski" was my maiden name.)
Unit Plan
This is the unit plan as it has been modified over the course of implementation.
Vocal Technique Observations Worksheet
This is a copy of the worksheet the students use along with the vocal technique unit.