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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 30 minutes

Send messages with light and sound

Light, sound and waves

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-4England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y4 Sound

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Send messages with light and sound.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Find the part that vibrates to make the sound; Why we need light to see things

Leads to: Send and decode messages using patterns

Materials: Slinky or rope, Mirrors and torches, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Find the part that vibrates to make the sound; Why we need light to see things). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What vibrates to make the sound of a triangle? (the metal bell / its wings / the metal triangle / the air inside the tube) → the metal trianglePrompt: Which part moves back and forth when the sound is made?
  2. What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave? (It makes our eyes stronger. / It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them. / It makes the walls give out light. / It makes the cave warmer, so we see better.) → It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.Prompt: Where does the light start, and where does it end up?
  3. A ruler is held on a table edge and twanged. How could you see that it is vibrating? (It glows. / The free end looks blurry as it moves up and down fast. / It gets longer. / It turns a different colour.) → The free end looks blurry as it moves up and down fast.Prompt: Look at the end that sticks out.

Hook · 3 min

  • Ask the class to make a wave with a rope or slinky and describe what moves and what doesn't.
  • Share the objective: Send messages with light and sound. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Does this signal use light, sound or both: a doorbell?
  • Step 1: These signals are heard, so they work even if you cannot see them.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: sound
  • Answer: sound
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Does this signal use light, sound or both: a car's flashing indicator? (light / sound / both light and sound) → lightPrompt: Do you see it, hear it, or both?
  2. Ships at sea at night watch for a lighthouse. What message does its light send? (It is time for dinner. / Fish are nearby. / The sea is warm today. / Danger: rocks or land are near here.) → Danger: rocks or land are near here.Prompt: Why would a ship need to know where the coast is?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Does this signal use light, sound or both: a flashing bike light? (light / sound / both light and sound) → lightPrompt: Do you see it, hear it, or both?
  2. Your friend is across a noisy playground. Which signal will they notice best? (waving a brightly coloured flag / whispering her name / humming softly / tapping a pencil quietly) → waving a brightly coloured flagPrompt: Sound gets lost in a noisy place.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Find the part that vibrates to make the sound.
  • Use concrete materials: slinky or rope.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Send and decode messages using patterns.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Send messages with light and sound

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a referee's whistle?

    • A. light
    • B. sound
    • C. both light and sound
  2. Question 2

    Why does a pedestrian crossing beep as well as show a green light?

    • A. to make the cars go faster
    • B. because the light is broken
    • C. to wake up birds
    • D. so people who cannot see well know when to cross
  3. Question 3

    What message does this signal send: a red traffic light?

    • A. Stop and wait.
    • B. The car is about to turn left.
    • C. I need help.
    • D. Playtime is over; go back to class.
  4. Question 4

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a smoke alarm beeping?

    • A. light
    • B. sound
    • C. both light and sound
  5. Question 5

    Ships at sea at night watch for a lighthouse. What message does its light send?

    • A. Danger: rocks or land are near here.
    • B. The sea is warm today.
    • C. Fish are nearby.
    • D. It is time for dinner.
  6. Question 6

    What message does this signal send: three short blasts on a whistle repeated?

    • A. Stop and wait.
    • B. There may be a fire: get out.
    • C. Playtime is over; go back to class.
    • D. I need help.

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Answer key: Send messages with light and sound

  1. 1. B. sound

  2. 2. D. so people who cannot see well know when to cross

  3. 3. A. Stop and wait.

  4. 4. B. sound

  5. 5. A. Danger: rocks or land are near here.

  6. 6. D. I need help.