K-6 Science for the Next Generation

Lesson Plans
What is Sound?

Learning Objectives

  • Identify different sounds in the environment.
  • Understand that sound is a form of energy.
  • Explain that sounds are made by vibrations.
  • Demonstrate how vibrations create sound using an elastic band.

Introduction and Hook

Begin the lesson by asking students to close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them. Encourage them to share what they hear and introduce the concept of sound as a form of energy.

Go to the Lesson

Introduce the concept of vibrations by demonstrating how a plucked elastic band over a cup vibrates to produce sound.

Direct Instruction

Explain that sounds are made by vibrations and can be identified in the environment. Use examples such as guitar strings and elastic bands.

Watch the video 'How Do We Hear Sounds?' to understand how sound is produced and perceived. This video illustrates concepts like volume and pitch using relatable examples.

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Guided Exploration

Explore the concept of sound vibrations through a hands-on activity. Use a pot, wooden spoon, and cling wrap with rice to demonstrate how sound can cause other objects to vibrate.

Watch the video 'Sounds are caused when an object vibrates, but can sound cause another object to vibrate?' to see how sound waves transfer energy.

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Hands-On Activity

Create a glass bottle xylophone by filling bottles with varying amounts of water and striking them with a spoon. Observe how the pitch changes with different water levels.

Watch the video 'Sound and Pitch – Glass Bottle Xylophone' to understand the relationship between vibration frequency and pitch.

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Independent Practice

Encourage students to identify different sounds in their environment and explain how they think those sounds are made.

Use the 'Sounds Around Us' assessment to have students circle images of objects that produce sound and draw their own examples.

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Check for Understanding

Engage students in a discussion about how vibrations create sound. Ask them to demonstrate with their elastic bands and describe what they observe.

Use the 'Seeing Sounds!' assessment to reinforce the concept of sound vibrations and how they affect objects like rice on cling wrap.

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Review and Reflection

Review the key concepts of sound as a form of energy and how vibrations create sound. Encourage students to share what they learned.

Reflect on the hands-on activities and discuss how they helped in understanding the concepts of sound and vibrations.

Assessment and Extension

Assess understanding with the 'What’s the Sound?' activity, where students listen to sounds and identify their sources.

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Encourage students to extend their learning by designing a device that makes different sounds using art and craft supplies.

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