Lesson 8: Using Vocal Variety to Convey Meaning and Create Characters
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to use vocal variations by creating voices for a reading of a children’s book.
Materials
A brief children’s book (a book with a variety of characters, such as The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
Quick Review
What are the vocal variations we have introduced?
Invite the students to sit in a circle. Introduce a brief children’s book (a book with a variety of characters, such as The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch). Let the students know they will be reading this book aloud today—a page per person. Suggest that as they read the children’s book they should look for opportunities in the writing to create distinct character voices by varying pitch, rate, and tone. They should also look for places to use inflection and power words to really help create specific meaning. Because the entire class wants to hear the story, they also need to project and use diction.
Assessment
After the class reads the story (or while the reading is taking place), ask them what kinds of vocal variations were used by their classmates. What was effective in understanding character? the story? Did they discover things during this reading they can consider using in their radio dramas?
Rehearsal
Inform the students that for today’s rehearsal they will read their entire scripts again as a cast. Today’s rehearsal goal is to further develop and cement vocal variety that will create distinct characters.
Invite students to separate into their casts and begin practicing. Circulate the casts, listening to the readings. When appropriate, ask the students questions that will help them make choices about their vocal characterizations. Allow the students to use the remainder of the class to rehearse their radio dramas.
Assessment
About 3 – 5 minutes before class ends ask the students to return to their seats. Ask the cast leaders to each report some of the vocal variations they have chosen for their characters. What are some discoveries they are making about the plots and/or characters in their radio dramas? Is the use of vocal variety helping them make those discoveries?