Science.2.8.B
The student is expected to
explain how different levels of sound are used in everyday life such as a whisper in a classroom or a fire alarm; and
Knowledge and Skills Statement
Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy is everywhere and can be observed in everyday life.
Demonstrated Proficiency
Provide students with pictures of different scenarios in which sound is being used to communicate. Examples might include a cheerleader using a megaphone to lead a cheer, two people whispering to each other in a library, or a firetruck driving by with lights on and sirens blaring. For each image, ask students to write a sentence that describes the volume of the sound and why that volume was appropriate for that situation. For example, students might say that the cheerleader had a loud yelling volume with the megaphone and that it needed to be loud so that people could hear it over the crowd and the players. In the library, students might say that the people were whispering because they don't want to disturb anyone else and that they can easily hear each other in the quiet library. They might say that the firetruck was so loud it might hurt their ears and that it is because people need to hear the firetruck inside their cars so they can move out of the way.
Further Explanation
Increasing or decreasing sound is called volume. Students should be able to communicate how humans adjust volume for different situations. This standard is specific to volume and does not address pitch, the highness or lowness of the sound.
Supporting Information
Research
Bobrowsky, Matt. “SCIENCE 101: Q: If a Tree Falls in a Forest, and There’s No One Around to Hear It, Does It Make a Sound?” Science and Children 56, no. 8 (2019): 72–75.
Summary: This article explains that "sound" has more than one meaning. One definition of sound is that it is vibrations that travel through solids, liquids, or gases. Students need to understand that vibrations are defined as rapidly shaking back and forth, but students should also get to experience how vibrations look, sound, and feel firsthand. Students can use classroom supplies like rulers to observe and record vibrations. Students can also experience vibrations and sounds by putting their hands on their throats and humming or talking. Students should know that while vibrations make sound, sound can also cause vibrations.