Tall Like Kings Slides Tall Like Kings
Singer Stance Secrets
LESSON 1 PRE-K
The Magic String
Imagine there is a magic string on the top of your head!
When I pull the string... what happens to your body?
Are you a Slouchy Sack?
Droopy shoulders...
Wobbly knees...
No energy!
Flop like a noodle!
The Singer Stance
FEET FLAT
Strong like a tree trunk!
TALL SPINE
Reach for the stars!
RELAXED
Ready to make music!
The Crown Test
Stand so tall and steady that your Golden Crown doesn't fall off!
Steady
Proud
Royal
Singer Stance Teacher Guide Singer Stance Secrets
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 1
Pre-K
30 Mins
Lesson Goal
Students will define and demonstrate the "Singer's Stance" (feet flat, tall spine, relaxed shoulders) by contrasting it with "slouchy" posture using playful imagery of puppets and royalty.
Materials
"Tall Like Kings" Slides
Toy Crown (Optional)
String or Yarn
The Routine
01
The Puppet String Hook (5 mins)
Introduce the concept of body control through play.
Teacher Script:
"Everyone, look up! Do you see that invisible magic string hanging from the ceiling? Reach up and grab it. Now, pretend you're tying it to the very top of your head. When I pull my string, you pull yours. Ready? 1-2-3-PULL!"
02
Slouchy Sacks vs. Singer Stance (10 mins)
Use the "Tall Like Kings" slides to show the contrast.
Slouchy Sack: Encourage kids to "melt" into a pile on the floor. Use words like heavy, floppy, no energy. Singer Stance: Pull the string again. Guide them to check: Are feet flat like tree roots? Is the spine tall like a skyscraper? Are shoulders relaxed?
03
The Royal Crown Test (10 mins)
A focus game to practice stillness and height.
Instruction:
Pretend you are placing a very heavy, gold crown on each student's head. If they wiggle or slouch, the crown falls! Have them practice standing in a circle, maintaining the stance while you "walk through the palace" (the classroom).
04
Reflection & Cool Down (5 mins)
Ask: "How does your body feel when you are standing like a King/Queen?"
Explain that next time, we will learn how to use these royal bodies to start and stop music!
Support
Allow students to sit on the edge of a chair or stool while maintaining a tall spine if standing is difficult.
Challenge
Ask students to maintain the stance while slowly turning their head side to side without losing the "crown."
Magic Baton Slides Magic Baton
Watching the Conductor
LESSON 2 PRE-K
Glue Your Eyes!
Singers have MAGIC EYES.
Your eyes stay glued to the conductor so you know what to do!
Hand Signal: GO!
Palm Open
This means... SING! Make your beautiful music start.
Sound On!
Hand Signal: STOP!
Fist Closed
This means... SILENCE! Catch the sound in your hand.
Sound Off!
Can You Be a Statue?
When I sing...
You Sing!
When I stop...
Statue Silence!
Watch the magic wand carefully!
Magic Baton Teacher Guide Magic Baton Mastery
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 2
Pre-K
30 Mins
Lesson Goal
Students will develop visual tracking and ensemble discipline by responding immediately to a conductor's "Start" and "Stop" signals using musical cues.
Materials
"Magic Baton" Slides
Conductor's Baton (or a rhythm stick/decorated pencil)
Music player with upbeat track
The Games
01
The Magic Wand Hook (5 mins)
Introduce the baton as a magical tool for control.
Teacher Script:
"I have a magic wand! But it only works if you use your Magic Eyes . When my wand moves, your voices move. When my wand stops and my hand closes... the sound must disappear instantly! Can you catch the sound in your hand just like I do?"
02
Stop and Go Practice (10 mins)
Use the "Magic Baton" slides to teach the hand signals.
Visual Check: Show the "GO" slide. Open your palm wide. Have students make a sustained "Ahhh" sound.The Catch: Close your fist suddenly. Students must stop the sound immediately. Practice this several times, varying the length of the "GO" signal.The Challenge: Try to "trick" them by making a very short signal. See who has the fastest ears and eyes!
03
Baton Statues (10 mins)
Add movement to the discipline practice.
Instruction:
Play upbeat music. When the baton is waving, students dance in their spots. When the baton stops and your fist closes, they must freeze like Statue Singers in their "Singer Stance." Use the music to heighten the excitement.
04
Cool Down & Review (5 mins)
Remind students: "The conductor is the leader. We use our eyes to stay together so we sound like one beautiful team."
Support
Provide a verbal cue ("Ready... and Stop!") along with the hand signal until visual tracking is established.
Challenge
Vary the speed of the waving baton (tempo) and see if students can pat their knees or clap at the same speed you move.
Singing Ears Slides Singing Ears
Listening to Our Neighbors
LESSON 3 PRE-K
The Two Jobs
SINGING
Using our beautiful voices.
LISTENING
Using our singing ears.
Can we do BOTH at the SAME TIME?
The Team Sound
When we sing together, we want to sound like ONE BIG VOICE .
"I listen to my friend on the left, and my friend on the right!"
The Volume Knob
Too Quiet
Just Right
Too Loud
Can we sing as gentle as a Butterfly ?
The Tick-Tock Test
Can we sing our song so softly that we can still hear the Clock Ticking?
Super Secret Volume
Singing Ears Teacher Guide Singing Ears Skills
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 3
Pre-K
30 Mins
Lesson Goal
Students will practice ensemble blend and collaborative listening by matching their singing volume with their neighbors and practicing "Singing Ears."
Materials
"Singing Ears" Slides
Classroom Clock (ticking)
Simple song (e.g., "Twinkle Twinkle")
The Routine
01
The Two Jobs (5 mins)
Introduce the concept of dual-focus.
Teacher Script:
"Singers are like superheroes. They have two jobs to do at the exact same time! Job #1 is using your beautiful voice to sing. Job #2 is using your 'Singing Ears' to listen. Can we try to sing while listening to our friends?"
02
The Volume Knob (10 mins)
Practice dynamic control.
Butterfly Volume: Ask students to sing a simple song as softly as a butterfly's wings. "If I can hear only you, it's too loud! If I can hear the whole team together, it's just right."The Knob Game: Pretend there is a volume knob on your nose. When you turn it up (point higher), they sing louder. When you turn it down (point lower), they sing softer.Neighbor Matching: "Can you sing so that you sound exactly like the friend sitting next to you?"
03
The Tick-Tock Test (10 mins)
The ultimate listening challenge.
Instruction:
Have the class sit in a very quiet circle. Everyone must be silent until they can hear the classroom clock ticking (tick... tock...). Once they hear it, challenge them to sing a song so gently that they don't "cover up" the sound of the clock. This builds intense focus and vocal control.
04
Team Wrap-up (5 mins)
Celebrate the "One Voice" sound. Ask: "Which job was harder today—singing or listening?"
Support
Use hummed notes (closed mouth) instead of words to help students focus purely on volume matching before adding lyrics.
Challenge
Assign one student to be the "Leader" of a small group of 3. They have to match the Leader's volume as the Leader changes it.
Spotlight Steps Slides Spotlight Steps
Entrances, Spots, and Bows
LESSON 4 PRE-K
Find Your Magic X
On a big stage, every star has a special spot to stand!
We walk quietly until our feet find our spot. No pushing, no rushing!
The Royal Walk
Quiet Feet
Walk like a cloud.
Tall Back
Remember your stance.
Happy Face
Look at the audience.
The "Thank You" Bow
1. Hands by your sides.
2. Bend at the belly button.
3. Count 1 - 2 - 3.
4. Stand up tall again!
The Final Step
After we bow, we walk off the stage just as beautifully as we walked on!
Ready for Showtime?
Spotlight Steps Teacher Guide Spotlight Steps Etiquette
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 4
Pre-K
30 Mins
Lesson Goal
Students will demonstrate stage etiquette by practicing a formal entrance, finding a designated spot, and performing a respectful "thank you" bow.
Materials
"Spotlight Steps" Slides
Painter's Tape (for floor "X" marks)
Entrance music (piano or upbeat instrumental)
The Routine
01
Finding Your Magic X (5 mins)
Introduce the stage layout.
Teacher Script:
"Today, our classroom becomes a giant theater! Look at the floor. Do you see those magic tape 'X's? Those are 'Star Spots.' When a performer walks onto a stage, they have to find their spot without talking or pushing. Can we practice finding our spots silently?"
02
The Royal Entrance Walk (10 mins)
Practice poise and physical presence.
The Path: Designate one side of the room as "Backstage."The Walk: Have students walk one by one (or in small groups) from backstage to their "X."Style Points: Remind them of Lesson 1—tall spines, relaxed shoulders, and "Quiet Feet" (no stomping!).
03
The 1-2-3 Bow (10 mins)
Learning to say 'thank you' with the body.
Instruction:
Explain that a bow is how a singer says "Thank you" to the audience. Practice the mechanics: hands stay glued to legs, bend at the waist (like a hinge), look at your toes, and count to 3 silently before standing up. "If we rush, the audience might think we're in a hurry to leave! Stay down for the whole 3 counts."
04
Full Routine Practice (5 mins)
Combine all steps: Walk on → Singer Stance → Bow → Walk off. Practice doing this with music playing to set the mood.
Support
Place a small toy or sticker on the floor at each "X" to give students a physical target to look at while they bow.
Challenge
Ask students to wait for a 2-second "freeze" in Singer Stance before they start their bow, showing extra discipline.
Showtime Stars Slides Showtime!
Our Mini-Concert Rehearsal
Grand Finale
Our Jobs Today
Performer
Standing tall and singing beautifully on stage.
Audience
Listening quietly and clapping at the end.
Audience Stars
Quiet
Voices off
Still
Hands in lap
Focus
Eyes on stage
"I help my friends do a great job by being a great listener!"
Performer Checklist
1. Find your Magic X
2. King/Queen Posture
3. Eyes on Conductor
4. Singing Ears On
YOU ARE A STAR!
Take a 1-2-3 Bow after the song.
Showtime
Ready to Shine?
Perform
Smile
Bow
"Practice makes progress, and singing makes us happy!"
Showtime Stars Teacher Guide Showtime Stars Performance
Teacher Facilitation Guide • Lesson 5 (Final)
Pre-K
45 Mins
Lesson Goal
Students will apply all skills (Stance, Watching Conductor, Listening, Entrance, and Bow) in a Mock Concert Routine . They will also practice being a respectful audience .
Materials
"Showtime Stars" Slides
Performance Song Track
Conductor Baton
The Stage Setup
Split the room into two halves: The Stage (with the tape "X" marks) and The Audience (chairs or carpet spots). Divide the class into two groups: Group A (Performers) and Group B (Audience).
The Performance Routine
01
The Audience Briefing (5 mins)
Teach the "job" of the listener before anyone moves.
Teacher Script:
"Audience Stars, your job is very important. You help the singers by giving them your 'Focus Energy.' That means quiet mouths, still hands, and big claps only at the very end when they bow!"
02
The Showtime Sequence (20 mins)
Run the routine for Group A, then swap.
Stage Manager (Teacher) Cues:
Entrance: Group A walks quietly to their "X" while music plays.Ready: Performers assume "Singer Stance" and find the Conductor's eyes.Song: Teacher conducts the song. Singers use "Singing Ears."Freeze: Hold the pose for 2 seconds after the song ends.The Bow: Perform the 1-2-3 bow. Audience Claps! Exit: Performers walk off-stage back to the audience seats.
03
Star Celebration (10 mins)
Reflect on the experience of being a performer.
Ask: "How did it feel when the audience clapped for you?"
Ask: "What was your favorite part of being a stage star?"
Award: Give out imaginary (or paper) "Showtime Star" stickers.
Common Pitfall
Students often want to wave at friends or family in the audience. Remind them: "Performers look at the conductor; our hearts wave to the audience with our beautiful singing!"
Pro Tip
Use a flashlight as a "spotlight" for individual singers to make the simulation feel even more magical and special for each child.
