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Science lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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 voice? (its wings / the metal bell / your vocal cords in your throat / the stretched skin on top) → your vocal cords in your throatPrompt: 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. / Your eyes send out light onto the book. / Books glow in the dark. / Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.) → Light from a lamp or the Sun bounces off the book into your eyes.Prompt: Does a book give out its own light?
  3. A ruler is held on a table edge and twanged. How could you see that it is vibrating? (It glows. / The free end looks blurry as it moves up and down fast. / It turns a different colour. / It gets longer.) → The free end looks blurry as it moves up and down fast.Prompt: Look at the end that sticks out.

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: Send messages with light and sound. 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: 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 · 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. Does this signal use light, sound or both: a pedestrian crossing that beeps and shows a green figure? (light / sound / both light and sound) → both light and 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? (whispering / drawing in the dirt / flashing a torch (flashlight) on and off / staying very still in the dark) → flashing a torch (flashlight) on and offPrompt: What carries a long way in the dark and is easy to see?

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. What message does this signal send: three short blasts on a whistle repeated? (The car is about to turn left. / Playtime is over; go back to class. / There may be a fire: get out. / I need help.) → I need help.Prompt: Where would you meet this signal, and what should you do?
  2. Does this signal use light, sound or both: a lighthouse beam? (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

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Send messages with light and sound

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a fire engine on its way to a fire?

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

    What message does this signal send: a car's flashing orange indicator on the left?

    • A. Playtime is over; go back to class.
    • B. There may be a fire: get out.
    • C. The car is about to turn left.
    • D. I need help.
  3. Question 3

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

    • A. so people who cannot see well know when to cross
    • B. because the light is broken
    • C. to make the cars go faster
    • D. to wake up birds
  4. Question 4

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: an ambulance with siren and flashing lights?

    • A. light
    • B. sound
    • C. both light and sound
  5. Question 5

    What message does this signal send: a smoke alarm beeping loudly?

    • A. There may be a fire: get out.
    • B. Playtime is over; go back to class.
    • C. I need help.
    • D. The car is about to turn left.
  6. Question 6

    Ships at sea at night watch for a lighthouse. What message does its light send?

    • A. Fish are nearby.
    • B. It is time for dinner.
    • C. Danger: rocks or land are near here.
    • D. The sea is warm today.
  7. Question 7

    Does this signal use light, sound or both: a torch (flashlight) flashing a code?

    • A. light
    • B. sound
    • C. both light and sound
  8. Question 8

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

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

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Answer key: Send messages with light and sound

  1. 1. C. both light and sound

  2. 2. C. The car is about to turn left.

  3. 3. A. so people who cannot see well know when to cross

  4. 4. C. both light and sound

  5. 5. A. There may be a fire: get out.

  6. 6. C. Danger: rocks or land are near here.

  7. 7. A. light

  8. 8. C. Stop and wait.