Waves and Matter
Our first grade students are experimenting with sound and light. This unit will introduce students to the concepts of waves and how they interact with all the matter around us. First grade students will learn how sounds are made and will create a simple device to experiment with sound and sound waves. Sounds are made when something vibrates. They can be loud or soft and high or low.
Next, these young scientists will learn the importance of light energy. They will identify sources of natural light and artificial light. Our young scientists will conduct a number of experiments showing how light interacts with different objects, and will learn three important words to explain how light energy interacts with matter (transparent, translucent, and opaque). Students will also learn why objects appear to bend in water (refraction) and why students can see their image in a mirror (reflection).
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
1. Visit a music store, electronics store, or a high school band room. Play some instruments to hear the different sounds that each instrument makes.
2. Take walks around the neighborhood. Listen for sounds and ask your child to describe the sound. Is the sound loud, soft, high, or low?
3. Put out a few of the same sized drinking glasses or jars. Fill the glasses with different amounts of water, and listen to the sound that is made when you tap on each glass.
Websites
Study Jams Scholastic - Light
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/light.htm
Study Jams Scholastic - Sound
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/sound.htm
Suggested Reading
Zin!Zin!Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss-This book introduces 10 instruments, their sounds and characteristics.
What Makes a Shadow by Clyde Robert Bulla- The author explains what shadows are, and how to make puppets.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades K-2 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.
Next, these young scientists will learn the importance of light energy. They will identify sources of natural light and artificial light. Our young scientists will conduct a number of experiments showing how light interacts with different objects, and will learn three important words to explain how light energy interacts with matter (transparent, translucent, and opaque). Students will also learn why objects appear to bend in water (refraction) and why students can see their image in a mirror (reflection).
What You Can Do at Home
Activities
1. Visit a music store, electronics store, or a high school band room. Play some instruments to hear the different sounds that each instrument makes.
2. Take walks around the neighborhood. Listen for sounds and ask your child to describe the sound. Is the sound loud, soft, high, or low?
3. Put out a few of the same sized drinking glasses or jars. Fill the glasses with different amounts of water, and listen to the sound that is made when you tap on each glass.
Websites
Study Jams Scholastic - Light
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/light.htm
Study Jams Scholastic - Sound
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/energy-light-sound/sound.htm
Suggested Reading
Zin!Zin!Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss-This book introduces 10 instruments, their sounds and characteristics.
What Makes a Shadow by Clyde Robert Bulla- The author explains what shadows are, and how to make puppets.
For a list of science nonfiction books, please click on the link titled Favorite Links and Books to Read. Click on the sublink Grades K-2 Science Nonfiction Books, where you will find a detailed list of books related to many different topics in science.