Unit Plan 2 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Healthy Technique Review
Refine posture, breathing, resonance, and vowel shape using healthy, age-appropriate technique while adapting safely to voice change in Grade 7 choir.
Focus: Refine posture, breathing, resonance, and vowel shape using healthy, age-appropriate vocal technique, with growing awareness of voice change and how to adjust for comfort and tone.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Vocal Music (Choir • Technique • Vocal Health)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students revisit and refine the core elements of healthy vocal technique: aligned posture, supported breathing, resonant tone, and clear vowel shape. Because many 7th graders are experiencing voice changes, the unit emphasizes listening to the body, avoiding strain, and making smart adjustments (modifying range, vowels, and volume) to keep singing comfortable and expressive. Students experiment with simple exercises and short repertoire excerpts, then set personal technique goals connected to their own voice needs.
Essential Questions
- What does healthy, age-appropriate vocal technique look and feel like for a changing 7th grade voice?
- How do posture, breath, resonance, and vowel shape work together to create a freer, more beautiful sound?
- How can I adjust my technique when my voice feels different from day to day?
- How can understanding my own voice help me sing with confidence and less strain in choir?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate aligned singing posture (feet, knees, hips, shoulders, head) and explain why it supports healthy singing.
- Use low, expanded breathing and gentle breath support to sing short patterns and phrases without visible tension.
- Explore resonance by adjusting space inside the mouth and soft palate to find a fuller, more focused tone.
- Shape pure, unified vowels (especially [ah], [eh], [ee], [oh], [oo]) to improve blend and reduce strain on higher or changing notes.
- Identify at least one personal adjustment related to voice change (e.g., choosing a comfortable octave, modifying vowels, easing volume) that keeps singing healthy.
- Describe and reflect on how their voice feels when technique is working well vs. when it feels tight or pushed.
Standards Alignment — Grade 7 Vocal Music (custom, NAfME-style)
- VM:Pr4.7a — Demonstrate healthy, age-appropriate vocal technique (posture, breathing, resonance, vowel shape) with awareness of voice change.
- Example: Students adjust vowel shapes to improve tone and reduce strain in higher notes.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can show and explain good singing posture for my body.
- I can take low, relaxed breaths and use my air steadily instead of running out or grabbing air.
- I can feel and adjust my resonance to get a clearer, more ringing sound.
- I can shape vowels to match the choir and make high or changing notes feel easier.
- I can explain one specific technique adjustment that helps my changing voice stay healthy.