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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 recorder or flute? (the air inside the tube / the metal bell / the metal triangle / its wings) → the air inside the tubePrompt: Which part moves back and forth when the sound is made?
  2. You go into a room with no windows and shut the door. The light is off. What can you see? (only red things / everything, but in black and white / nothing at all / only shiny things) → nothing at allPrompt: What is missing from the room?
  3. You pluck a guitar string and then touch it to stop it moving. What happens to the sound? (It gets louder. / Nothing changes. / It stops. / It gets higher.) → It stops.Prompt: What makes the sound in the first place?

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 fire engine on its way to a fire? (light / sound / both light and sound) → both light and soundPrompt: Do you see it, hear it, or both?
  2. Why does a pedestrian crossing beep as well as show a green light? (to make the cars go faster / because the light is broken / to wake up birds / so people who cannot see well know when to cross) → so people who cannot see well know when to crossPrompt: Who might not see the green figure?

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 torch (flashlight) flashing a code? (light / sound / both light and sound) → lightPrompt: Do you see it, hear it, or both?
  2. What message does this signal send: a smoke alarm beeping loudly? (There may be a fire: get out. / The car is about to turn left. / Stop and wait. / I need help.) → There may be a fire: get out.Prompt: Where would you meet this signal, and what should you do?

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

    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
  2. Question 2

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

    • A. The car is about to turn left.
    • B. Stop and wait.
    • C. Playtime is over; go back to class.
    • D. I need help.
  3. Question 3

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a fire engine on its way to a fire?

    • A. light
    • B. sound
    • C. both light and sound
  4. Question 4

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

    • A. It is time for dinner.
    • B. Fish are nearby.
    • C. Danger: rocks or land are near here.
    • D. The sea is warm today.
  5. Question 5

    What message does this signal send: a car's flashing orange indicator on the left?

    • A. I need help.
    • B. Playtime is over; go back to class.
    • C. The car is about to turn left.
    • D. There may be a fire: get out.
  6. Question 6

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a pedestrian crossing that beeps and shows a green figure?

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

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Answer key: Send messages with light and sound

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

  2. 2. B. Stop and wait.

  3. 3. C. both light and sound

  4. 4. C. Danger: rocks or land are near here.

  5. 5. C. The car is about to turn left.

  6. 6. C. both light and sound