Lesson Plan: Sound Vibration Centers

Subject: Science

Cluster/Unit: Sound

Grade: 3/4

Time Frame: 1 hour long period.

SLO: 4-03-05 - Recognize that sounds are caused by vibrations.
Behavioural Objective: Students will recognize that sounds are caused by vibrations by exploring a
series of sound vibration centers in order to visually see sound vibrations.
Activating:
Starting at the carpet, a projection of the sound vibration worksheet
on the board. Review prior knowledge about sound. How do we
experience sound? Can we see it? Can we feel it?
Then explain that sound is caused by vibrations, so there is always
movement to sound. To demonstrate have each student gently touch
their throat and try talking or making sounds in different pitches.
Explanation of centers. The teacher should also make sure to
demonstrate how to properly use a tuning fork to the entire class and
emphasize that everyone should have a turn experimenting at each
station. Also demonstrating how to move through centers, four
students demonstrating the rotation to the class. Going over working in
groups and taking turns helps as well.
Explanation of the sound vibration worksheet. Going over what it
means to observe something and asking students how to add
movement to drawings. Try to get a few different ideas (arrows,
multiple lines, fading lines, etc.)
Each student will get a "Exploring Sound Vibrations" worksheet. At
each station students should take time to draw what they observe from
the experiment, leaving the last part blank until the end.
Acquiring:
Sound center exploration. The teacher will have four separate stations
set up in the classroom for students to be able to rotate through and
explore. At each station student will sketch out their observations of
the experiments. When explaining centers to students it's better to not
actually do the center, that way they don't know what to expect when
they start.
Station 1: Tuning fork in water. Students will try hitting a tuning fork
and then gently dipping it into a container of water. The vibrations
from the tuning fork should cause ripples in the water, and different
fork frequencies will cause different ripple effects.
Station 2: Rubber band tin. Using different sizes of rubber bands
pulled over a can, students with experiment with plucking the bands
and observing the results.
Station 3: Dancing Salt. Secure a piece of plastic wrap over a bowl
with a plastic band. Put a little bit of salt onto the plastic. Holding a
can with the opening towards the bowl, hit the bottom with a spoon.
The sound vibrations should hit the plastic and cause the salt to
"dance".
Station 4: Tuning for and Ping Pong Ball. Attach a Ping Pong ball to a

Time Frame:
Approximately
10 minutes.

Time Frame:
Approximately
40 minutes, ten
minutes at each
station.
That time is for
both getting to
try the
experiment for
themselves and
also drawing
out their
observations.
Two minute
warning for
diagrams to be
done.

length of string and hold it still. Then strike the tuning fork and put it
against the ball. The ball should start bouncing and swinging due to
the vibrations hitting it.
Applying:
Time Frame:
The class will come back together after everyone has had a chance to
About five- ten
explore every station and discuss what happened at each station.
minutes for
Using the projection on the board four volunteers can copy their
discussion.
diagrams onto the board.
As a class they will come up with an answer for the final sentence on
the worksheet "Based on what I have observed, I have found that
sound is..." (Caused by vibrations and can be seen, heard, and felt).
Assessing:
Formative assessment to assess students comprehension of sound vibrations.
Assessment for learning.
Grouping:
Student will complete their own individual sheet but move through the centers in groups of 4 or 5
depending on the class size.
Materials Needed:
2 Tuning forks
Cup filled with water.
Rubber bands of different sizes.
Coffee tin
A can and a spoon
A bowl
Plastic wrap.
Salt.
String (and tape to attach it)
A ping pong balls.
Class set of "Exploring Sound Vibrations" worksheet.

Name:
Date:

Exploring Sound Vibrations

Station 1: Water Station
What I Observed:

Station 2: Rubber Band Station

What I Observed:

Station 3: Dancing Salt Station

Station 4: Ping Pong Ball Station

What I Observed:

What I Observed:

Based on what I have observed, I have found that sound

is