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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. Rice grains on a drum jump when the drum is hit. What does this show? (Sound is made of rice / The rice is alive / The drum is magnetic / 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. / Loud sounds do not involve vibrations. / Sounds are made by vibrations. / Sound cannot travel through water.) → 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. / Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases. / 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 · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 brick wall? (sound can travel through it / sound cannot travel through it) → sound can travel through itPrompt: Are there particles to pass the vibration along?
  2. Astronauts on a spacewalk talk to each other by radio, not by shouting. Why? (Their helmets are soundproof only. / Sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space. / Space is too noisy. / Shouting uses too much oxygen.) → Sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space.Prompt: What does sound need to travel through?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. True or false? Sound travels faster through steel than through air. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Sound needs particles. Where are there none?
  2. Can sound travel through this: the empty space between planets? (sound can travel through it / sound cannot travel through it) → sound cannot travel through itPrompt: Are there particles to pass the vibration along?

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

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  1. Question 1

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Can sound travel through this: water?

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

  3. Question 3

    True or false? Sound can travel through water.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    You see lightning, then hear thunder a few seconds later. Why the delay?

    • A. Light travels much faster than sound.
    • B. Thunder happens later.
    • C. Sound travels faster than light.
    • D. Your ears are slower than your eyes.

  5. Question 5

    Can sound travel through this: the empty space between planets?

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

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Sound travels faster than light.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Why are recording studios lined with soft foam?

    • A. Foam conducts electricity.
    • B. To keep the room warm.
    • C. Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.
    • D. Foam makes sound louder.

  8. Question 8

    Can sound travel through this: a wooden table?

    • 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. B. Sound travels well through solids.

  2. 2. A. sound can travel through it

  3. 3. A. True

  4. 4. A. Light travels much faster than sound.

  5. 5. B. sound cannot travel through it

  6. 6. B. False

  7. 7. C. Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.

  8. 8. A. sound can travel through it