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.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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?
- 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