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

Sound comes from vibrations

Light, sound and waves

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Sound comes from vibrations.

  • 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Pitch and loudness; Speed of sound and echoes; Find the part that vibrates to make the sound

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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers 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? (the string vibrating / light from the string / the string getting hot / the wood breathing) → the string vibratingPrompt: Touch the string gently after plucking it.
  2. Sound: which statement is true? (Sound travels through space between planets. / Loud sounds do not involve vibrations. / Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source. / Sound cannot travel through water.) → Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?
  3. Sound: which statement is NOT true? (Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases. / Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source. / Sound cannot travel through empty space (a vacuum). / Sound cannot travel through water.) → Sound cannot travel through water.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 comes from vibrations. 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: How does sound reach your ears?
  • Step 1: Vibrations pass from particle to particle through the air to your eardrum.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Vibrations travel through the air to your ears
  • Answer: Vibrations travel through the air to your ears
  • 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. Rice grains on a drum jump when the drum is hit. What does this show? (The drum is magnetic / Sound is made of rice / The rice is alive / The drum skin is vibrating) → The drum skin is vibratingPrompt: What makes the rice move?
  2. Sound: which statement is true? (Sound travels through space between planets. / Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases. / Sound cannot travel through water. / Loud sounds do not involve vibrations.) → Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?

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. When you speak, what vibrates to make the sound? (your teeth / your eyes / your vocal cords in your throat / your hair) → your vocal cords in your throatPrompt: Put your fingers on your throat and hum.
  2. Sound: which statement is true? (Sound travels through space between planets. / Loud sounds do not involve vibrations. / Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source. / Sound cannot travel through water.) → Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?

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

  • 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: Pitch and loudness; Speed of sound and echoes; Find the part that vibrates to make the sound.
  • 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

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Sound comes from vibrations

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Sound: which statement is true?

    • A. Sound travels through space between planets.
    • B. Loud sounds do not involve vibrations.
    • C. Sound cannot travel through empty space (a vacuum).
    • D. Sound cannot travel through water.

  2. Question 2

    Sound: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Sound cannot travel through empty space (a vacuum).
    • B. Sound cannot travel through water.
    • C. Sounds are made by vibrations.
    • D. Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source.

  3. Question 3

    Rice grains on a drum jump when the drum is hit. What does this show?

    • A. The rice is alive
    • B. Sound is made of rice
    • C. The drum skin is vibrating
    • D. The drum is magnetic

  4. Question 4

    What makes the sound when you pluck a guitar string?

    • A. the string getting hot
    • B. the string vibrating
    • C. the wood breathing
    • D. light from the string

  5. Question 5

    When you speak, what vibrates to make the sound?

    • A. your eyes
    • B. your teeth
    • C. your vocal cords in your throat
    • D. your hair

  6. Question 6

    How does sound reach your ears?

    • A. Your ears pull the sound in
    • B. Sound travels as light
    • C. It does not need to travel
    • D. Vibrations travel through the air to your ears

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Answer key: Sound comes from vibrations

  1. 1. C. Sound cannot travel through empty space (a vacuum).

  2. 2. B. Sound cannot travel through water.

  3. 3. C. The drum skin is vibrating

  4. 4. B. the string vibrating

  5. 5. C. your vocal cords in your throat

  6. 6. D. Vibrations travel through the air to your ears