Submitted by Daniel J. Fee, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Idea posted March 7, 2005

I inherited two rooms of fourth graders this year that didn't get the basic concept of moving their voice around.

They've come really far, and I tell them ALL the time how proud I am of them and how wonderful they are (even if it's a stretch!).

Here are some of the things we did to improve:

  1. We ALWAYS warmup with siren sounds, swoops, whoops, and "high-talking guys." High-talking guys is where we make each hand a "puppet." The puppets talk back and forth to each other saying silly things. The kids echo what I say in a high speaking voice similar to same one used for sirens.
  2. I ask kids to echo me alone with the sirens. I remind them over and over that the voice you use in a siren is in the same place as your singing voice.
  3. I spotlight, highlight, and generally gush all over anyone who is singing correctly.
  4. I established rules and consequences from the get go. If the discipline isn't in place, I don't feel the children can learn. I had many challenges (and still have some unpleasant surprises), but the listening and general behavior have come really far. We also dealt with some mild disrespect and have mostly squashed that. (It was tolerated in the past.)
  5. Lastly, I try to make it fun. (You knew it was coming! :) )