Vocabulary
Sound
Compression waves
Vibrations
Energy transfer
Pitch
Volume
Related Children’s Literature
1. Sounds All Around by Wendy Pfeffer, ISBN 0-06-027711-4
2. All About Sound by Melvin Berger, ISBN 0-590-46760-3
3. Focus on Sound (Aladdin Books Ltd), ISBN 1-56924-038-8 |
Hand-on Science Activities
1. Hold a ruler so that 4 inches extend over the edge of a desk. Hit the end
of the ruler and watch how fast it vibrates. Slide the ruler so that 8
inches extend over the edge. Hit the end and watch the vibrations. Does
it vibrate faster or slower? Repeat this experiment with one ear down on
the desk. Does the pitch change?
2. Stretch a rubber band and pluck it; watch it vibrate.
3. Stand up dominoes in a line and push the first one. This illustrates energy
transfer.
4. Make a String Telephone using paper cups and string.
Mathematics Connections
1. Line up four identical, empty jars. Fill one jar with water and then measure
the water. Knowing the jar’s capacity, figure out how much water you
will need and then fill the jars 1⁄4 full, 1⁄2 full, 3⁄4
full, and full. Use a pencil to tap on each jar and listen to the pitch of
each. How does the pitch change?
Language Arts Connections
Poems can use words to create feelings. Words with soft consonants and vowels,
like WHISPERING and GENTLE, can create a feeling of quiet and calm. Words
with harder consonants and vowels, like CRASH and RACKET, can create a feeling
of loudness. Write a quiet poem and a loud poem. |
