Sound Makers

Kristie Anderson, LCLC, Lonsdale, MN, 55046, used from McMillan McGraw Hill: Science, 2005 Edition, Grade K, Teacher Edition Pages F16-F20
Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: September 8, 2008

Summary

In this science lab, students investigate sound that is made from vibrations using a sound maker. The students will test sound makers to see if their sounds cause vibrations. Students will write down or draw their observations from their lab experience and place them on a lab worksheet.

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Learning Goals

Students will understand that sound is made from vibrations.

Context for Use

This lab is for kindergarten age students and of any class size. For this lab, about 30 to 40 minutes is needed.
Materials:
-Cardboard roll
-Rubber bands
-Plastic bags cut in squares.

This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science, 2005 Edition, Grade K, Teacher Edition Pages F16-F20. This activity is easily adapted for use with different materials, i.e....straws, tuning fork, bells, etc.

Description and Teaching Materials

The activity should start out with prior knowledge of the students. The teacher can ask questions like, What is sound? What is noise? The teacher can use illustrations of things that make sound and the students can imitate the sound. The teacher can also ask the students to place their hand on their throats and say their name in a loud voice. What do they feel? Then in a soft voice. What do you feel?

Then the students will continue with the lab as follows:
1.The teacher should model how to make the sound cylinder. The teacher should take the cardboard roll and place the plastic over one end. Then place a rubber band over the plastic which will hold it on one end of the cardboard roll.
2. Have a child demonstrate talking into the open end of the roll while gently touching the opposite end with plastic on it. Did they feel the plastic move?
3.Pair the students and have them make their own sound cylinder with the materials.
4.The students should take turns talking into the open end of the roll while gently touching the opposite end with plastic on it. Did they feel the plastic move? Why?
5.Have the students make different sounds. What happens?
6. The students should draw pictures about sound on their lab worksheet.
7. The teacher can also introduce other objects straws, tuning fork, bells, etc
8.Have discussion.

This activity comes from the curriculum, McMillan McGraw Hill: Science, 2005 Edition, Grade K, Teacher Edition Pages F16-F20.

Teaching Notes and Tips

Sound is made from vibrations. To make sound, something has to vibrate. A great way to demonstrate this is with a loosely stretched coil toy. The teacher can pull on one end and the students will be able to see the wave travel the length of the coil. This is how sound travels.

Assessment

The assessment for this lab will be the students' lab worksheet, with observations. The teacher will determine, whether the student understands the goal from their lab worksheets

Standards

K.I.B.1 - Scientific Inquiry

References and Resources