CU 4.06Sound and Vibration

1. 1

   Ask the child to place two fingers lightly on their own throat and hum. 'Can you feel the shaking? That shaking makes the sound.'

2. 2

   Tap the drum gently. Watch the rice jump: 'The top of the drum is shaking. That is called vibrating.'

3. 3

   Tap harder and softer. Compare the sound and how high the rice jumps.

4. 4

   Pluck the thick rubber band on the box, then the thin one. Ask which sound is high and which is low.

5. 5

   Strike the tuning fork on the rubber block and hold it near the child's ear.

6. 6

   Strike it again and touch the tips to the water. Watch the splash.

7. 7

   Invite the child to try each one.

What catches the child’s eye

• Rice grains hopping on the drum with each tap
• The quiet tuning fork suddenly spraying water when it touches the bowl

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Order the rubber bands from lowest to highest sound
2. Press a finger on a vibrating band and hear the sound stop
3. Find things in the classroom that vibrate to make sound: a bell, a triangle, a guitar string
4. Put an ear to a table while a friend scratches the other end