Speech Choir

PCF SPARKLETOTS PRESCHOOL @ NANYANG BLK 922 (CC)

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 experiencefor the children, the teachers attended acustomised workshop to learn the necessarytechniques (e.g. breathing techniques, properposture for better voice projection, proper cues tobe given to the children as they conduct a speechchoir).

After the workshop, the teachers brainstormedhow Speech Choir could be used to enhancechildren’s learning experiences. The team alsochose stories/ poems/ rhymes for each class level.These were chosen based on what the childrenenjoyed and the topic that the children werelearning about.

The Speech Choir Experience –2. Familiarising children with the text

The children were first introduced tothe story/poem/ rhyme. Next, theteachers helped children to rememberthe story/poem/rhyme by reciting itmany times in different ways.

To help the children better understandand relate to the chosen text, they weregiven opportunities to explore withauthentic materials. For example, wherethe word “mud” is mentioned in thestory “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”, thechildren played and explored the textureand properties of mud.

The Speech Choir Experience –3. Choreographing the performance

The children decided on theactions for certain words inthe story/poem/rhyme. Theseactions formed thechoreography for the finalSpeech Choir performance.

Involving children in the choreography process helped them to feel a greater sense of ____ownership in their performance.

Parents were invited to makeprops for the Speech Choirperformance with theirchildren at home which alsohelped to facilitate parent-child bonding.

The children practised theirparts in the performancewith the teacher so thattheir speech recitation andchoreography would bewell-coordinated.

The Speech Choir Experience –4. The performance

Parents were invited to watch the children’s Speech Choir performances. Thechildren had fun and enjoyed their performances. Parents gave positivefeedback and shared that they had observed that their children haddeveloped through 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

The Speech Choir Experience

Contributed by:Noorhayati Zahari; Chai Irene; Tan Bee Geok, Sally; Teoh Yiling

PCF SPARKLETOTS PRESCHOOL @ NANYANG BLK 922 (CC)