Learning objective

Knowledge:

  • ​​To describe how sounds are heard through different mediums.

Working scientifically:

  • To research how whales and dolphins communicate underwater. 

Success criteria

Knowledge:

  • I can describe how a sound wave travels

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National curriculum

Science

Sound

Pupils should be

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

Recap and recall

Arrange the class into groups of three and provide each group with a whiteboard and pen. Display slide 1 of the Presentation: Mystery sounds game and play the mystery audio clips: A ruler twanging. A piece of paper being crumpled. Water being poured. A glass ‘singing’ as a finger is rubbed around the rim. A…

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Adaptive teaching

Pupils needing extra support

Could read the first three sections of the Resource: How dolphins and whales use sound underwater (the information above the picture) to answer the first two questions on the Activity: Research report only; could be provided with the Knowledge organiser and directed to the first section, which explains sound waves.

Pupils working at greater depth

Could try using different lengths of string with their cup and string telephone to investigate if distance affects how well they can hear the secret messages; should answer the extension question on the Activity: Research report; could choose an extension activity relating to how sound is made or travels from the Resource: Stretch and challenge: Sound and vibrations.

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Assessing progress and understanding

Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: describing how a sound waves travels through

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Knowledge outcomes

  • I can describe how a sound wave travels through the air to the ear as a series of vibrations that pass into the ear canal and hit the ear drum.
  • I can compare how sound travels through different mediums, with sound travelling fastest through solids and slowest through gases.
  • I can explain that sound travels farther in water than air because the matter in water is more closely packed than the matter in air.

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Vocabulary definitions

  • air

    A mixture of gases that surround the Earth.

  • ear

    A part of the body that detects sound.

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