Sound and Light PS

Sound and Light

Students learn that sound comes from vibrating objects. They explore how to change sound volume and pitch, and develop simple models for how sound travels from a source to a receiver. With light, students also work with sources and receivers. They find out what happens when materials with different properties are placed in a beam of light, and explore how to create and change shadows and reflections. Students explore how to use sound and light devices to communicate information.

Curriculum Map

Unit: Light and Sound

State Standards

1-PS4-1. Demonstrate that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.

1-PS4-3. Conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing materials that allow light to pass through them, allow only some light through them, block all the light, or redirect light when put in the path of a beam of light.

1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to send a signal over a distance.

Essential Questions

• What makes sound? (people, animals, nonliving things?)

• How can you stop or change sound?

• How can you make things vibrate?

• How can the path of light change?

• How are shadows made?

• What makes shadows change?

• What role does sound and light play in people’s lives?

• How can we send sound/light over a distance?

• Why do people send signals over a distance?

• How can we improve our designs?

Students will...

• Ask questions and defining problems

• Developing and use models

• Plan and carrying out investigations

• Analyze and interpret data

• Construct explanations and design solutions

• Engage in an argument from evidence

• Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information