LESSON 7: Animal Voices
Lesson Focus: Vocal Variation
Age Group: 2-3 years old
Duration: 30 minutes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

   1. Remember: Highlight and label simple animal sounds.
   2. Understand: Contrast animal voices by pitch, length, and energy (e.g., big vs small,
   fast vs slow).
   3. Apply: Guide safe production of short, animal-inspired vocalisations on clear cues.

MATERIALS:

   1. Picture cue cards: cat, dog, cow, duck (simple, high-contrast; 3–4 animals only).
   2. Sound cue words on cards: “meow,” “woof,” “moo,” “quack” (large print).
   3. Optional props: small toy animals or puppets (matching pictures).
   4. Simple 2–3 level “energy meter” (calm/medium/bright) to cue vocal energy, not
       volume.
   5. Small drum/clapper for “your turn”; soft chime/bell for “stop.”
   6. Floor spots or tape marks for sitting semicircle (visual boundary).
   7. Water access; wipes if using shared props.
 

LESSON PROCEDURES:

1) Welcome and Settle (2 minutes)
- Greet with a warm, medium voice.
- Display the animal picture cards in a line.
- State the focus: “Explore animal voices with safe, short sounds.”

2) Breath and Gentle Voice Warm-Up (3 minutes)
- Lead two slow breaths: “Smell the flower… blow the candle.”
- Model a quiet “mmm” hum.
- Glide a gentle siren from low to mid; keep volume soft.

3) Introduce Animals and Labels (4 minutes)

- Hold up each animal card in turn and clearly name the sound label: “Cat: meow.” “Dog:
woof.” “Cow: moo.” “Duck: quack.”
- Tap each label card as you say it; keep each model 1–2 seconds.
- Place cards where they remain visible at eye level.

4) Hear the Difference: Big vs Small, Fast vs Slow (4 minutes)
- Show Cat vs Dog: model “meow” (lighter) then “woof” (a little fuller).
- Show Cow vs Duck: model “moo” (lower, slower) then “quack” (quicker).
- Point to the energy meter to indicate calm/medium/bright as you model.
- Insert a soft chime between each model to reset.

5) Guided Echo A: Match the Picture (4 minutes)
- Lift one animal card.
- Count in “3-2-1” and model the sound once (short).
- Invite one echo; end with chime and a “stop” hand.
- Vary the order; keep a calm pace and short resets.

6) Guided Echo B: Add a Gesture Cue (4 minutes)
- Pair simple actions with each animal:
- Cat: soft paw tap.
- Dog: small tail wag gesture with hand.
- Cow: slow open-close hand for chewing.
- Duck: beak hand open-close.
- Show the picture and the gesture; model the short sound.
- Invite one echo; chime to reset.

7) Sorting by Difference (4 minutes)
- Place two cards side by side (e.g., Cow vs Duck).
- Say: “Ready… 3-2-1: cow ‘moo’.” Reset. “Ready… 3-2-1: duck ‘quack’.”
- Swap pairings (Cat vs Dog; Dog vs Duck) to contrast qualities.
- Use drum for “your turn” cue and chime for “stop.”

8) Optional Prop Moments (3 minutes)
- Hold the matching toy or puppet for one animal.
- Model one short sound with the gesture; offer a clear “your turn” cue with the drum.
- Park the prop in a basket; sanitise if needed before swapping.

9) Cool-Down and Voice Care (2 minutes)
- Lead a quiet “mmm.”
- Lower hands and relax shoulders.
- Guide two calm breaths; end with a whisper “thank you.”

ASSESSMENT:
- Present a single animal card and note recognition when modelling the labelled sound.
- Offer quick contrasts (e.g., cow → duck) and note approximate echo match to pitch/tempo
quality.
- Monitor response to cues (drum = start/your turn; chime = stop; brief duration).

REMARKS:
- Inclusion and Developmental Fit (2–3s, ESL):
- Use minimal language with clear facial/gesture cues for each animal.
- Keep to 3–4 animals; maintain consistent visual mapping (picture + label).

- Accept nonverbal participation (gaze, mouth shapes, humming).
- Classroom Management:
- Establish and use consistent cues: drum = “your turn,” chime = “stop,” hand to ear =
“listen.”
- Keep models brief (1–2 seconds); insert frequent neutral resets.
- Differentiation:
- If needed, simplify to two animals (e.g., cow, duck) before adding more.
- For confident groups, use the energy meter to try calm vs bright versions of the same
animal.
- Environment:
- Seat in a semicircle with clear sightlines to cards.
- Keep props within reach; clear distractions; provide water as needed.