Y3/4 (B): Energy: Sound and vibrations
Exploring volume, pitch and how sound travels.
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Y3/4 (B): Energy: Sound and vibrations
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe how sounds are made.
- Describe how sounds are heard through different mediums.
- Explain the relationship between vibration strength and volume.
- Describe the relationship between volume and distance.
- Describe pitch and how to change it.
- Explain how insulating materials can be used to muffle sound.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- To observe closely how different instruments create a sound.
- Research how whales and dolphins communicate underwater.
- Present results using a bar chart.
- Suggest which variables to measure and for how long.
- Design simple results tables.
- Identify when results or observations do not match predictions.
Suggested prior learning
Y3/4 (B): Materials: States of matter
Get startedLessons
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 1: Vibrations
Knowledge:
- To describe how sounds are made.
Working scientifically:
- To observe closely how different instruments create a sound.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 2: Sound waves
Knowledge:
- To describe how sounds are heard through different mediums.
Working scientifically:
- To research how whales and dolphins communicate underwater.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 3: Volume
Knowledge:
- To describe the relationship between vibration strength and volume.
Working scientifically:
- To present results using a bar chart.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 4: Volume and distance
Knowledge:
- To describe the relationship between volume and distance.
Working scientifically:
- To suggest which variables to measure and for how long.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 5: Pitch
Knowledge:
- To describe pitch and how to change it.
Working scientifically:
- To design simple results tables.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 6: Sound insulation
Knowledge:
- To explain how insulating materials can be used to muffle sound.
Working scientifically:
- To identify when results or observations do not match predictions.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Resources
Unit resources
![](https://ml4e0gjyxzna.i.optimole.com/cb:SpWI~1a8f2/w:1545/h:1080/q:mauto/f:best/https://www.kapowprimary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Knowledge-organiser-Science-Sound-1-1.jpg)
Science
Knowledge organiser – Science Y4: Sound and vibrations
Aimed at pupils, a double page which gives key facts and definition from the unit ‘Sound and vibrations’.
![](https://ml4e0gjyxzna.i.optimole.com/cb:SpWI~1a8f2/w:1308/h:911/q:mauto/f:best/https://www.kapowprimary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Sound-and-vibrations-word-wall.png)
Science
Vocabulary display – Science Year 4: Sound and vibrations
A display version of the key vocabulary for the unit 'Sound and vibrations'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Music.
English: Reading – comprehension.
Maths: Statistics; Measurement.
British values: Mutual respect.