Science Unit Plan

Title of the Unit: Sound Grade(s) Level: Grade 4/5

Length of Unit (# of Hours or Weeks): 6 Weeks

UNIT OVERVIEW
Over six weeks, students will learn the basics of sound in the environment, both artificial and natural. The properties of different sounds
will be a focus as well as how sound is created and heard. A variety of lessons are planned that incorporate different activities and
methods that are hopefully engaging to students. Multiple versions of common games are also part of some lessons and used to
provide entertainment and learning at the same time.

OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES

Please refer to curriculum documents.

SO4.1 Explore natural and artificial sources of sound in the environment and how those sounds are detected by humans and
animals. [CP, SI]

SO4.2 Draw conclusions about the characteristics and physical properties of sound, including pitch and loudness, based on
observation. [CP,SI]

SO4.3 Assess personal, societal, and environmental impacts of sound-related technologies. [DM, TPS]
Topics Outcomes & Indicators Activities Materials Assessment

Topic 1: Relate natural and Neighbourhood walk to Easter Eggs pre-filled with Go over answers for natural
Introduction to Sound artificial sources of create a list of sounds objects vs artificial sounds
sound and how they heard and then used to Check answers for Easter egg
are made discuss activity
Identify natural and
Easter Egg activity
artificial sources of (Easter eggs taped shut
sound with a variety of
materials inside)

Topic 2: Recognize and Partner activity with Tuning Forks After every activity, check
Sound Vibrations demonstrate that elastic bands to see if Elastic Bands students answers on worksheet
sound energy they know what Pie trays half filled with water and go over if need be
originates from vibration is Worksheets for activities
vibrating objects
Tuning Fork Activity
(Inquiry with tuning forks
Compare how sound in multiple ways)
vibrations travel
differently through
solids, liquids, and
gases
Topic 3: Compare ability of self Inquiry with Boomwhackers Check worksheet answers
Pitch and others to hear pitch boomwhackers, short vs Worksheet
and loudness long bars
Topics Outcomes & Activities Materials Assessment Differentiation
Indicators

Topic 4: Predict and explore Bill Nye Video (Season 1. Bill Nye Video Asking questions after
Sound Waves how sound travels Episode 12) Worksheet video
from different Partner Whispering Activity Check answers on
sources to the Telephone Game worksheet
human ear

Topic 5: Research the Use computers to research Computer room or Check the quality of
Technology contributions of a sound-based technology mini Dells their research and that
Research Canadians who that was invented in List of Canadian the 5 W’s were
contributed to the Canada Inventions answered properly
List of inventions provided
development of
by teacher, each invention
sound based given to 2 or 3 students
technologies

Topic 6: Illustrate and explain Ear Song Video Video Students hand in
Hearing Sound how humans create Work through the diagram Diagram of Ear labelled diagram
and detect sounds of the ear and label it Worksheet
Marco Polo or 4 Corners
Game
Topics Outcomes & Activities Materials Assessment Differentiation
Indicators

Topic 7: Compare the Instrument Groups Sorting Sorting Cards Check which category
Musical characteristics of the Cards Premade Bingo they place the
Instruments different types of Instrument Bingo (Playing Cards with tiles to instruments while
instruments and how sounds of different cover sorting
their sounds are instruments instead of Speaker to play Check to see if
calling names) different instrument students designs met
different and how Create a Pan Flute sounds the criteria for their
they change pitch Students Design their own Straws, scissors, design
Design a device such instrument elastic bands
as a musical Blank piece of
instrument which has paper for design
the ability to create Worksheet to fill out
sounds of variable during design
pitch and loudness
Topic 8: Compare how Create homemade Cans and string Check which category
Sound sounds travels phones Wood blocks, sand, students place each
Conductors and through solids, Inquiry of what materials metal pieces object under on
Insulators liquids and gases are insulators and which Balloons, water, oil worksheet
are conductors Other general
materials around
classroom
Compare how Worksheet
different materials
absorb and reflect
sounds
Topic 9: Compare the ability Recorded story, Recorded story Ask questions about
Amplifying of different sounds to difference in how story is Stethoscopes, the story, do they
Sound absorb and reflect heard inside vs outside microphones, understand the point
sounds Students inquiry with speakers, of the activity?
different amplification headphones
Check answers on
objects Worksheet
worksheet
Explain how and why Describe differences
different materials between different rooms
after going for walk
are used in schools
through the school in terms
and other buildings of materials that would
based on their ability make a room louder or
to absorb and reflect quieter
sound

Topic 10: Methods and Read “Too Much Noise” “Too Much Noise” Check worksheet
Safety and the technologies used to Group work, how is Book answers
Environment prevent noise hearing important? Ear Protection
pollution in Class work, how to Devices (ear
surroundings protect ears plugs, etc)

Issues with long term *End of Unit Mini

exposure to Test*
environmental noise

Explain practice for

protection