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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes

Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space

Light, sound and waves

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space.

  • 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: Sound comes from vibrations

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (Sound comes from vibrations). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What makes the sound when you pluck a guitar string? (light from the string / the wood breathing / the string vibrating / the string getting hot) → the string vibratingPrompt: Touch the string gently after plucking it.
  2. Sound: which statement is true? (Loud sounds do not involve vibrations. / Sound travels through space between planets. / Sound cannot travel through water. / Sounds are made by vibrations.) → Sounds are made by vibrations.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?
  3. Sound: which statement is NOT true? (Sounds are made by vibrations. / Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source. / Sound travels through space between planets. / Sound cannot travel through empty space (a vacuum).) → Sound travels through space between planets.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?

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: Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space. 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: Can sound travel through this: air?
  • Step 1: Sound needs particles to pass vibrations on.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: sound can travel through it
  • Answer: sound can travel through it
  • 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. Can sound travel through this: a vacuum in a sealed jar with all the air pumped out? (sound can travel through it / sound cannot travel through it) → sound cannot travel through itPrompt: Are there particles to pass the vibration along?
  2. Why are recording studios lined with soft foam? (Foam makes sound louder. / Foam conducts electricity. / To keep the room warm. / Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.) → Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.Prompt: Do sounds echo more in an empty hall or a room full of cushions?

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. Why are recording studios lined with soft foam? (Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes. / Foam makes sound louder. / Foam conducts electricity. / To keep the room warm.) → Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.Prompt: Do sounds echo more in an empty hall or a room full of cushions?
  2. True or false? Sound cannot pass through walls. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Sound needs particles. Where are there none?

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: Sound comes from vibrations.
  • 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

  • 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-4.

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

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Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Sounds get fainter as they travel further from the source.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Put your ear on a table while a friend taps the far end gently. Why do you hear it clearly?

    • A. Sound cannot travel through air.
    • B. Your ear makes the sound.
    • C. Sound travels well through solids.
    • D. Tables make sounds louder by magic.

  3. Question 3

    Can sound travel through this: water?

    • A. sound can travel through it
    • B. sound cannot travel through it

  4. Question 4

    True or false? Sound cannot pass through walls.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

    Astronauts on a spacewalk talk to each other by radio, not by shouting. Why?

    • A. Shouting uses too much oxygen.
    • B. Space is too noisy.
    • C. Sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space.
    • D. Their helmets are soundproof only.

  6. Question 6

    Can sound travel through this: outer space beyond the Moon?

    • A. sound can travel through it
    • B. sound cannot travel through it

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Answer key: Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space

  1. 1. A. True

  2. 2. C. Sound travels well through solids.

  3. 3. A. sound can travel through it

  4. 4. B. False

  5. 5. C. Sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space.

  6. 6. B. sound cannot travel through it