Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Science
Sound

Background Information
In this unit, children will learn about sound waves, and different objects which make sound. Children will be able to identify whether a sound will be louder or quieter depending on the distance, and be able to discuss that sound is made of waves. The children will use a range of objects to help understand sound. Sound is made by vibrations, and is a form of energy. Sound travels through the air, but can also pass through different objects such as water.

In this unit the children will…
Identify how sounds are made, associating some of them with something vibrating
Recognise that vibrations from a sound travel through a medium to the ear.
Find patterns between the pitch of a sound and features of the object that produced it
Find patterns between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations that produced it.
Recognise that sounds get fainter as the distance from the sound source increases.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Identify that sound is louder when it is closer to you.
Understand that sound is a wave.
Identify that the ear receives the sound.
Understand most of the key vocabulary.
Discuss the importance of caring for our ears by not listening to loud noises.
Participate in activities which demonstrate how we hear sounds.
Most children will:
Identify that sound needs to travel through a medium to reach the ear.
Demonstrate how the sound waves would look different depending on the pitch of the sound.
Understand and define all of the key vocabulary.
Some children will:
Explain how the sound waves would look different depending on the pitch of the sound.
Explain and discuss how sound can travel through a range of mediums.

Key Vocabulary
Ways to create sound – bang, blow, shake, and pluck
Loudness – quiet, quieter, quietest, loud, louder and loudest
Pitch - low, lower, lowest, high, higher, and highest
Vibrations
Source