I want to share an example of a lesson plan on prosodic features of speech with you. Prosody is an important aspect of language that refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. In this lesson plan, we will focus on three prosodic features: pitch, loudness, and duration. These features play a crucial role in conveying meaning and emotion in our communication, and understanding how to use them effectively can enhance our ability to communicate effectively.
The lesson begins with a warm-up activity to introduce the concept of prosody and related terms. Next, students will learn about the three prosodic features through direct instruction and examples. Then, they will have the opportunity to practice identifying and explaining the use of prosodic features in speech through guided and independent practice. Finally, the lesson will conclude with a review of the key concepts and an assessment of student understanding.
Lesson Title: Understanding Prosodic Features of Speech
Objective: Students will be able to identify and describe the prosodic features of speech, including pitch, loudness, and duration.
Materials needed:
- Whiteboard or chalkboard
- Markers or chalk
- Handouts with examples of prosodic features
- Audio recording of a speaker using different prosodic features
Warm-up:
- Ask students to define the term "prosody." (Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech.)
- Write the word "prosody" on the board and ask students to brainstorm a list of words that might be related to prosody. (Examples: pitch, loudness, duration, inflection, tone)
Direct Instruction:
1. Write the words "pitch," "loudness," and "duration" on the board.
2. Explain that these are three prosodic features of speech.
3. Define each term:
- Pitch: the highness or lowness of a person's voice
- Loudness: the volume or intensity of a person's voice
- Duration: the length of time that a sound is pronounced
4. Give examples of how each prosodic feature can be used in speech:
- Pitch: A speaker might use a higher pitch to show excitement or a lower pitch to show sadness.
- Loudness: A speaker might use a louder voice to emphasize a point or a softer voice to convey intimacy.
- Duration: A speaker might lengthen the duration of a particular word to give it emphasis, or shorten the duration of a word to convey a sense of hurry.
5. Play the audio recording for the students and ask them to listen for the different prosodic features. As they listen, have them raise their hand or signal in some other way when they hear an example of one of the prosodic features.
Guided Practice:
- Distribute the handouts with examples of prosodic features.
- Have students work in pairs to identify the prosodic feature being used in each example.
- Have students explain their reasoning to the class.
Independent Practice:
- Have students choose a passage of text and read it out loud, paying attention to their use of prosodic features.
- Have them record their reading and listen back to it, paying attention to how they used pitch, loudness, and duration.
- Have them revise their reading, using the prosodic features in a way that conveys the intended meaning or emotion.
Closure:
- Review the three prosodic features of speech and give some examples of how they can be used to convey meaning or emotion.
- Ask students to share any final thoughts or questions about prosodic features.
Assessment:
- Observe students during independent practice and listen to their recordings for evidence of their understanding of prosodic features.
- Have students complete a written reflection on their use of prosodic features in their reading.