"Speech Choir" • PCF Sparkletots Preschool @ Nanyang Blk 922
Speech choir allows children to recite a
verse, story or rhyme in unison with
elements of choreography.
Through this speech choir experience
where children perform as a group, it helps
to bring the text alive for the children. as
they perform it as a group.
Objectives of using Speech Choir
Children
- Improve their oral skills e.g. pitch, tone, volume, pace, diction and enunciation
- Work as a team towards a common goal
- Develop confidence
Teachers
- Trained on the use of ‘Speech Choir’ as an instructional strategy
- Equipped with skills to carry out lessons using ‘Speech Choir’
The Speech Choir Experience – 1. Getting teachers ready
Before implementing the Speech Choir experience for the children, the teachers attended a customised workshop to learn the necessary techniques (e.g. breathing techniques, proper posture for better voice projection, proper cues to be given to the children as they conduct a speech choir).
After the workshop, the teachers brainstormed how Speech Choir could be used to enhance children’s learning experiences. The team also chose stories/ poems/ rhymes for each class level. These were chosen based on what the children enjoyed and the topic that the children were learning about.
The Speech Choir Experience – 2. Familiarising children with the text
The children were first introduced to the story/poem/ rhyme. Next, the teachers helped children to remember the story/poem/rhyme by reciting it many times in different ways.
To help the children better understand and relate to the chosen text, they were given opportunities to explore with authentic materials. For example, where the word “mud” is mentioned in the story “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”, the children played and explored the texture and properties of mud.
The Speech Choir Experience – 3. Choreographing the performance
Involving children in the choreography process helped them to feel a greater sense of ownership in their performance.
The children decided on the
actions for certain words in
the story/poem/rhyme. These
actions formed the
choreography for the final
Speech Choir performance.
Parents were invited to make
props for the Speech Choir
performance with their
children at home which also
helped to facilitate parent-child
bonding.
The children practised their
parts in the performance
with the teacher so that
their speech recitation and
choreography would be
well-coordinated.
The Speech Choir Experience – 4. The performance
Parents were invited to watch the children’s Speech Choir performances. The
children had fun and enjoyed their performances. Parents gave positive
feedback and shared that they had observed that their children had
developed through the Speech Choir Experience.
The Speech Choir Experience
- An opportunity for children to:
- gain confidence in speaking and communicating as a group before an audience
- work cooperatively with one another towards a common goal
- A new strategy which teachers can use to enhance children’s learning
Contributed by:
Noorhayati Zahari; Chai Irene; Tan Bee Geok, Sally; Teoh Yiling
PCF SPARKLETOTS PRESCHOOL @ NANYANG BLK 922 (CC)
