TIPS FOUND IN WEB SOURCES from STC and ThinkQuest:

STC

Instruction on sound is guided so students are able to:

1. Investigate characteristics of sound produced by a variety of devices.

2. Observe that vibrations produce sounds.

3. Discover the effect of length and tension on pitch.

4. Construct graphs.

Lesson 7

Student presentations summarizing lessons 1 - 6.

Lessons 8 - 11

1. Investigate human voice box (larynx)

2. Loudspeaker, lesson 9:

a. Model vocal cords from rubber bands.

b. Change pitch and loudness of sound.

c. Observe vibrations producing sound.

 

Lessons 12 - 14

1. How sound travels and is received by the ear.

2. How sound travels through different materials.

3. Design and build a hearing aid.

4. Build a model ear drum.

5. Observe effect of sound on a membrane.

6. Read about how ear is constructed and how to protect.

 THINKQUEST:

Students can do "hands on" experiments and activities to understand how vibration creates sound. For example, use a plastic or wooden ruler and a table. Place the ruler on the table and pluck it to see and hear vibration.

Students can learn about the various ways that pitch can be created. For example,use the ruler again. This time have a shorter portion of the ruler sticking out beyond the table. Pluck it and notice the higher pitch.

Students can learn about volume. Pluck the ruler harder and softer to hear the change in volume.

Students can study classroom musical instruments to determine how the sound is made for each one. Small groups can rotate through stations and fill out forms to report their findings. The stations could be: a guitar, an autoharp, a recorder, a drum, a piano and an Orff xylophone.

Students can learn about sound waves by doing various "hands on" experiments. They can also use a computer program, such as Sound Effects , a Shareware program, Sound View or Sound Vision , both freeware programs, to view the sound waves produced by various sources.

As a final summation of the unit, students can design and make their own instruments. They should beencouraged to test the sound of their instruments and make changes to improve the sound.There aremany sources of ideas on making instruments, for example, books and internet sources. Students can use these to start with. Encourage creativity!!