Year 4 – Science

Year 4 have loved learning about how sound is made! They understand that sound is made by vibrations which then travel to our ears. Feeling the vibrations in their throat when they talked created lots of excitement! They have carried out an investigation and taken measurements to prove that a sound gets quieter the further away it is from the source. Through playing various instruments and making their own, they have explored how to change the volume of sound and have learned that large vibrations create loud sounds. The class even created a body percussion rainforest soundscape, using finger clicks, clapping and jumping to replicate a tropical storm.

What The Student Says

"When I speak and touch my throat, I can feel the vibrations!"

"When I pluck my instrument harder, it makes a louder sound."

"I press my lips together hard and blow. It makes vibrations. My trumpet makes a sound."

"When I hit the drum hard, I saw the rice jump off the top of the drum. The vibrations were doing that."

"The bleep sound got quieter when I moved away from it. After 10 metres it was very quiet."

"It's noisy in the small hall, probably because of the vibrations."

What knowledge and skills have been developed?

Asking and answering questions about sound, how it is made and how it travels.

Closely observing the size of vibrations.

Using measuring equipment to measure distance from the source.

Using and reading and decibel measurement devices to measure volume.

Making predictions based on prior knowledge.

Using scientific vocabulary in written and verbal explanations and conclusions.

Understanding how to stay safe when carrying out investigations.

Interpreting and communicating results.

Setting up

What the Teacher says

It has been a pleasure to teach Year 4 about sound in our science topic. They have taken on the role of scientists and have carried out careful investigations. I have been especially impressed with their approach to extending their learning as they have asked and answered their own questions, often saying 'I wonder what would happen if ...?'

The children have been able to relate their science learning to a range of contexts including their music lessons - playing brass or string instruments and choir sessions - and even to swimming sessions - sound travels well through water. They learned about the correlation between the volume of a sound and the strength of the vibrations through a variety of activities, but the most popular activity by far was using a tuning fork and a ping-pong ball!

Mrs Stirk

School Address:

Clapgate Primary School
10 Cranmore Drive
Belle Isle
Leeds
LS10 4AW

School Contacts:

Headteacher: Miss Taylor
Deputy Headteacher: Miss Procter
SENDCO: Mrs Lawton
Office: Mrs Austin, Miss Johnson, Mrs Belt and Miss Stamp
Chair of Governors: Mr Bache

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Tel: 0113 271 6700
Email: clapgate@clapgateprimaryschool.org

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