Sound and light (grade 1) · lesson

Sound comes from shaking

💡 Things that shake fast, or vibrate, make sound.

Pull a string and let it go. It shakes fast. That makes a sound.

Hit a drum. The top shakes. You hear a boom.

Sound can make things shake too. Rice on a drum will jump.

🧠 How to think about it

I hear a sound. I ask, what is shaking? I touch my throat when I hum. It buzzes!

🏡 Try it at home

Stretch a rubber band over an open box. Pull it and let go. Watch it shake. Can you hear it?

💡 We need light to see. Our eyes take in light.

Light bounces off a toy and into your eyes. Then you see the toy.

Your eyes do not make light. In a room with no light at all, you can't see.

🧠 How to think about it

Why can't I see in the closet? There is no light. If I turn on a light, I can see.

🏡 Try it at home

Go in a closet with a grown-up. Shut the door. Can you see your hand? Now turn on a flashlight.

💡 Some things let light through. Some block it. A mirror bounces it back.

Clear glass and clear water let light through.

Wood and books block light. A dark shadow forms behind them.

A mirror bounces light back to you.

🧠 How to think about it

Shine a light at it. Does light come out the back? Then it lets light through. A dark spot? It blocks light.

🏡 Try it at home

Shine a flashlight at a glass, a book, and a spoon. Which lets light through? Which makes a shadow?

💡 People use light and sound to send messages far away.

A flash of light can be seen far away. It works best at night.

A drum beat can be heard far away.

A cup phone works too. Your voice shakes the string to your friend.

🧠 How to think about it

My friend is far away at night. A wave is too dark to see. A whisper is too soft. A flashlight is best.

🏡 Try it at home

Make up a flashlight code with a grown-up. One flash means hi. Two flashes means come here.