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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 buzzing bee? (the air inside the tube / its wings / the strings / the stretched skin on top) → its wingsPrompt: Which part moves back and forth when the sound is made?
  2. Why can you see a book on your desk? (The book makes its own light. / Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes. / Books glow in the dark. / Your eyes send out light onto the book.) → Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.Prompt: Does a book give out its own light?
  3. Put your fingers gently on your throat and hum. What do you feel? (your heart stopping / a buzzing vibration / nothing at all / something very cold) → a buzzing vibrationPrompt: Sounds are made by things moving back and forth.

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 referee's whistle? (light / sound / both light and sound) → soundPrompt: 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 / whispering / flashing a torch (flashlight) on and off / drawing in the dirt) → 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. 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? (Stop and wait. / Playtime is over; go back to class. / There may be a fire: get out. / 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

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

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

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

    • A. because the light is broken
    • B. so people who cannot see well know when to cross
    • C. to wake up birds
    • D. to make the cars go faster
  3. Question 3

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

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

    Your friend is across a noisy playground. Which signal will they notice best?

    • A. waving a brightly coloured flag
    • B. humming softly
    • C. tapping a pencil quietly
    • D. whispering her name
  6. Question 6

    What message does this signal send: three short blasts on a whistle repeated?

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

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Answer key: Send messages with light and sound

  1. 1. A. light

  2. 2. B. so people who cannot see well know when to cross

  3. 3. D. Stop and wait.

  4. 4. C. both light and sound

  5. 5. A. waving a brightly coloured flag

  6. 6. A. I need help.