The Phenomemon of Sound Waves

A lesson plan including various lab stations to address these topics: Students will understand that sound is a form of energy that travels in waves referred to as compressional waves; understand that sound waves can travel through different mediums, including solids, liquids, and gases; understand and observe that sound waves travel in a given direction until an outside force or object gets in the way of its motion and reflects it; and observe a variety of sound waves . They will record their observations in a wave booklet. This lesson includes differentiation, extension and assessment activities.

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Standards & Objectives

Academic standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
GLE 0207.11.1: Investigate how vibrating objects produce sound.
GLE 0207.11.2: Classify sounds according to their loudness and pitch.
GLE 0401.1.2: Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0501.1.2: Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0601.1.2: Employ a variety of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0601.8.5: Identify and analyze common literary terms (e.g., personification, conflict, theme).
SPI 0401.1.13: Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
SPI 0401.1.14: Use prefixes, suffixes, and root words as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0401.1.16: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues, dictionaries, and glossaries.
SPI 0501.1.12: Recognize root words, prefixes, and syllabication as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0501.1.16: Determine the correct meaning/usage of multiple meaning words within context.
SPI 0601.1.15: Use context clues and prior knowledge of roots and affixes to determine the meaning of multi-meaning words.
SPI 0601.1.16: Use context clues and prior knowledge of roots and affixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
SPI 0601.1.17: Use dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic sources, and glossaries as aids in determining the meaning of unfamiliar words.
SPI 0601.1.20: Use knowledge of root words, affixes, syllabication, and/or spelling patterns as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0601.5.5: Specify a logical word choice to complete an analogy using synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, categories, subcategories, whole/part, and functions.
SPI 0601.8.7: Analyze figurative language (i.e., hyperbole, simile, metaphor, personification,) within context.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7a: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7b: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7c: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions,...
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7a: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7b: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7c: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and...
TSS.ELA.6.L.VAU.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on 6th grade-level text by choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.6.L.VAU.5: When reading, listening, writing, and speaking, explain the function of figurative language, word relationships, and connotation/denotation and use them ...

Alignment of this item to academic standards is based on recommendations from content creators, resource curators, and visitors to this website. It is the responsibility of each educator to verify that the materials are appropriate for your content area, aligned to current academic standards, and will be beneficial to your specific students.

Learning objectives:

Students will:

Understand that sound is a form of energy that travels in waves referred to as compressional waves
Understand that sound waves can travel through different mediums, including solids, liquids, and gases
Understand and observe that sound waves travel in a given direction until an outside force or object gets in the way of its motion and reflects it
Observe a variety of sound waves in lab stations and record their observations in a wave booklet

Essential and guiding questions:

Hypothesize what happens to sound waves when they reach a wall or other solid, flat object.
If sound can't travel in space, hypothesize what other modes of communication astronauts can use when they are outside the space shuttle?
Explain why, based on the behavior of sound waves, a classroom with a tile floor is louder than a library that is carpeted.
How does sound travel when you have a conversation with your friends?
Think about what it is like to hear things under water. Debate whether sound travels better in liquids (like water), gases (air), or solids (like putting your head down on a desk and having someone slam a book down on the surface)?
Discuss why you see lightning before you hear thunder during storms.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Differentiation suggestions:

Students can still perform each of the lab activities, but have them compare what they learn about sound waves to what they have learned about light waves. Have students in groups create concept maps comparing the two types of waves. Groups can present diagrams to the class and demonstrate their understanding of the two types of waves by showing the class how to "read" their map. Maps should be colorful and creative and contain the following concepts and information about each type of wave in an organized format:
Transverse waves carry light energy, do not require a medium through which to travel, and can travel through space or in a vacuum. Transverse waves on Earth can move through any medium. When transverse waves do travel through a medium, that medium will move at right angles to the direction the wave is traveling. Transverse waves carry different types of light energy, found in the electromagnetic spectrum, and they travel faster than the speed of sound.
Students should also include a labeled diagram of a transverse wave showing a crest, a trough, amplitude, rest position, and wavelength.
Compressional waves carry sound energy and require a medium through which to travel. Matter vibrates in the same direction as the wave is traveling, and waves travel slower than light or transverse waves.
Students should also include a labeled diagram of a compressional wave that shows compression, rarefraction, and wavelength.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

For this lesson, you will need:

Drum
A few paper clips
Tuning fork
Basin of water
Rubber band strung between two pegs or nails
Metal fork and spoon
Steel yardstick or ruler
Musical instruments or a musical tape, record, or CD
A slinky
A set of glasses and a spoon for each group of students
Six copies of theSound Waves Seen activity sheetfor each student.

References

Contributors:

Kathryn CromwellPrice

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation