Introduction

When working with young students, it is essential to help them develop the skills necessary to adapt to various social situations. One of these skills is becoming a social chameleon, which involves adjusting their behavior to match those around them, including the volume of their voices. The Voice Scale is a tool that can be used to teach students about different voice levels and when to use them. In this blog post, we will explore the Voice Scale, provide a no-prep activity for educators, discuss related skills, and offer next steps for continued learning.

No-Prep Activity

One way to introduce the Voice Scale to PreK students is through a simple and engaging activity that requires no preparation or materials. The “Simon Says Voice Levels” game is a fun and interactive way for students to practice using different voice levels.

1. Begin by explaining the Voice Scale to your students, including the five levels: no talking, whisper, indoor voice, outside voice, and yelling.
2. Next, have the students stand in a circle, facing you.
3. Play a game of “Simon Says” with your students, but instead of using physical actions, use voice levels. For example, you could say, “Simon says, use a level three voice and say ‘hello’.”
4. Encourage students to participate and practice using the different voice levels throughout the game.

This activity not only helps students become familiar with the Voice Scale but also provides an opportunity for them to practice adjusting their voice levels in response to different situations.

Discussion Questions

After completing the “Simon Says Voice Levels” activity, use these discussion questions to further explore the concept of the Voice Scale and being a social chameleon:

1. Why is it important to adjust our voice levels in different situations?
2. Can you think of a time when you needed to change your voice level to match the situation? How did it make you feel?
3. How can being a social chameleon help us make friends and get along with others?
4. What other behaviors might we need to adjust when we are in different places or with different people?

Related Skills

Teaching the Voice Scale and helping students become social chameleons are important aspects of Social-Emotional Learning. In addition to these skills, consider teaching your PreK students about:

• Active listening: Encouraging students to listen carefully to others and respond appropriately.
• Empathy: Helping students understand and share the feelings of others.
• Self-regulation: Teaching students to manage their emotions and behaviors in different situations.
• Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a common goal.

Next Steps

As educators, it is crucial to provide our students with the tools they need to navigate social situations successfully. Teaching the Voice Scale and incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning in your classroom can help your PreK students develop essential skills for success in and out of the classroom. To access free samples of these skills and others, sign up for sample materials at Everyday Speech.