Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™: How Can We Send a Message Using Sound? 3-Use Module

Shop Component Parts for this kit

Grade 1. Module Highlights: Sound is much more than just noise. Its many varieties can be used to make music, alert us to harm, and even send messages. How can we send a message using sound? Using a variety of methods and media, students solve this problem. Students explore different ways of sending a message and organize them by how the message is sent (light or sound) and by distance. They use a drum to send a simple message using a pattern of sounds. Students collect evidence through hands-on activities and text to build a claim that sound is caused by something vibrating. They build a model of a kazoo and use this to demonstrate that sound also causes vibration. They use a model of an eardrum to collect more evidence that sound causes vibration. They use a text to construct an explanation for how we hear. In the end-of-module design challenge, students apply what they have learned about sound and engineering to make a simple musical instrument whose sound sends a code that solves the problem of getting someone safely across a river.

This module includes a teacher guide, 16 Smithsonian Science Stories student readers, and enough materials for 32 students to use 3 times.

Next Generation Science Standards®:
Performance Expectations

• K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
• K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
• K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

Supporting Science Performance Expectations:

• 1-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
• 1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.

Science and Engineering Practices
Focal:

• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Constructing explanations
• Designing solutions
• Planning and carrying out investigations
• Engaging in argument from evidence

Supporting:

• Defining problems
• Developing and using models
• Using mathematical and computational thinking
• Asking questions
• Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Crosscutting Concepts
Focal:

• Scale, proportion, and quantity
• Cause and effect
• Patterns
• Systems and system models

Supporting:

• Structure and function

Common Core:
English Language Arts

• RF.1.2
• RI.1.5
• RI.1.7
• RI.1.9
• RI.1.10
• SL.1.1
• SL.1.2
• SL.1.3
• SL.1.4
• W.1.8

Math

• 1.NBT.A.1
• 1.MD.A.4

Lesson Summaries
Lesson 1: Pass It On
Objects have been invented that help us send a message a long distance.
Students define the problem of how to send a message a long distance. They organize objects that send messages into objects that can send a message a short distance and objects that can send a message a long distance.
Lesson 2: Zoo Game
A pattern of sounds can be used to send a message without speaking.
Students design a solution to the problem of sending a message a short distance without speaking. They use a pattern of drum beats to help a zookeeper feed the animals in a simple board game.
Lesson 3: Science of Sound
Sound is caused by vibration.
Students ask questions about what causes sound. They plan and carry out an investigation to answer this question.
Lesson 4: Good Vibrations
Sound is caused by vibration.
Students complete their investigation into what causes sound. They use patterns of movement in objects that make sound to argue from evidence that sound is caused by vibration.
Lesson 5: Sound of Music
Music is caused by vibration.
Students read texts on drums and banjos. They collect evidence from the texts to build a claim that music is caused by part of an instrument vibrating.
Lesson 6: Kazoo Kraziness
Different solutions need to be tested to see which one best solves the problem.
Students carry out research into parts of a kazoo. They plan and carry out an investigation to test different kazoo parts and argue from evidence which materials make the best kazoo sound.
Lesson 7: Make It Jump
Sound causes vibration.
Students use their kazoo to observe that sound causes vibration. They plan and carry out an investigation to answer the question: Does sound cause vibration?
Lesson 8: Hear, Hear
We hear by sound causing our eardrum to vibrate.
Students discuss how they can hear a struck tuning fork with their hand covering their ear. They obtain evidence from a text to construct an explanation for what causes us to hear sound.
Design Challenge
Lesson 9: Help Hopper Cross the River Part 1
Different solutions need to be tested to see which one best solves the problem.
Students carry out research into parts of a banjo. They build a banjo by testing different banjo parts and argue from evidence which materials make the best banjo sound.
Lesson 10: Help Hopper Cross the River Part 2
A pattern of sounds can be used to send a message without speaking.
Students design a code that can be used to solve a problem. They use their banjo to send a message a short distance using a pattern of sounds.

*Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.