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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. How does sound reach your ears? (Sound travels as light / Vibrations travel through the air to your ears / It does not need to travel / Your ears pull the sound in) → Vibrations travel through the air to your earsPrompt: Sound needs something to travel through.
  2. Sound: which statement is true? (Sound travels through space between planets. / Loud sounds do not involve vibrations. / Sound cannot travel through water. / Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases.) → Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases.Prompt: Can sound travel where there is nothing at all?
  3. Sound: which statement is NOT true? (Sounds get fainter as you move further from the source. / Sounds are made by vibrations. / Sound cannot travel through water. / Sound can travel through solids, liquids and gases.) → Sound cannot travel through water.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 string telephone's string? (sound can travel through it / sound cannot travel through it) → sound can travel through itPrompt: Are there particles to pass the vibration along?
  2. Put your ear on a table while a friend taps the far end gently. Why do you hear it clearly? (Tables make sounds louder by magic. / Sound travels well through solids. / Sound cannot travel through air. / Your ear makes the sound.) → Sound travels well through solids.Prompt: Particles in a solid are packed tightly together.

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. 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?
  2. True or false? Sound travels through empty space. (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

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  1. Question 1

    Why are recording studios lined with soft foam?

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

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Sound cannot pass through walls.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Can sound travel through this: a vacuum in a sealed jar with all the air pumped out?

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

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

    Can sound travel through this: a wooden table?

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

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Sound travels through empty space.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  7. Question 7

    Can sound travel through this: a brick wall?

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

  8. Question 8

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

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

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

  1. 1. B. Soft materials absorb sound and reduce echoes.

  2. 2. B. False

  3. 3. B. sound cannot travel through it

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

  5. 5. A. sound can travel through it

  6. 6. B. False

  7. 7. A. sound can travel through it

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