Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

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 loudspeaker? (your vocal cords in your throat / its wings / the cone at the front / the metal triangle) → the cone at the frontPrompt: Which part moves back and forth when the sound is made?
  2. A cat's eyes seem to shine in the dark when a car's headlights catch them. Is the cat making light? (Yes, but only at night. / Yes, cats' eyes are light sources. / No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights. / No, it is the Moon making the eyes.) → No, its eyes are reflecting the headlights.Prompt: Would the eyes shine if there were no light at all?
  3. Which part of a drum must you hit to make a sound? (the strap / the stretched skin / the floor under it / the air around it) → the stretched skinPrompt: Which part can wobble?

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. You are camping in a dark forest and get lost. Which signal could rescuers see from far away? (staying very still in the dark / drawing in the dirt / flashing a torch (flashlight) on and off / whispering) → flashing a torch (flashlight) on and offPrompt: What carries a long way in the dark and is easy to see?

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. What message does this signal send: a smoke alarm beeping loudly? (Stop and wait. / The car is about to turn left. / I need help. / There may be a fire: get out.) → There may be a fire: get out.Prompt: Where would you meet this signal, and what should you do?
  2. 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?

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 lighthouse beam?

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

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

    • A. I need help.
    • B. The car is about to turn left.
    • C. Stop and wait.
    • D. There may be a fire: get out.
  3. Question 3

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

    • A. The sea is warm today.
    • B. Danger: rocks or land are near here.
    • C. Fish are nearby.
    • D. It is time for dinner.
  4. Question 4

    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
  5. Question 5

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

    • A. so people who cannot see well know when to cross
    • B. to wake up birds
    • C. because the light is broken
    • D. to make the cars go faster
  6. Question 6

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a doorbell?

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

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: Send messages with light and sound

  1. 1. A. light

  2. 2. C. Stop and wait.

  3. 3. B. Danger: rocks or land are near here.

  4. 4. C. both light and sound

  5. 5. A. so people who cannot see well know when to cross

  6. 6. B. sound