General Science Extension Activities Lesson 6

Read Aloud

Waves: Physical Science for Kids by Andi Diehn

This picture book introduces children to the concept of waves in physical science, including sound waves, and helps extend their knowledge of energy and vibrations.

Name That Sound Game

Create a Sound Identification Game

Set up a barrier (such as a card table on its side). Have one child sit on one side as the listener. Another child on the other side makes a sound using common objects (clapping, crumpling paper, bouncing a ball, etc.). The listener guesses what the sound is. This helps children focus on auditory discrimination and understand how different objects produce unique sounds.

Build an Eardrum Model

Create a Model to See How the Eardrum Works

Use a bowl or container covered tightly with plastic wrap to simulate the eardrum. Sprinkle rice or salt on top. Make sounds near it (shouting, playing music, etc.) and observe how the vibrations cause the grains to move. This demonstrates how sound waves vibrate the eardrum so we can hear.

Explore Sound Energy

Hands-on Sound Energy Experiments

Try activities such as making a string telephone with cups and string to see how sound travels, or creating a glass xylophone with water-filled jars to experiment with pitch. These help children understand vibrations, pitch, and volume through play.

Sort Pictures or Play a Sound

Sorting and Sound-Making Activity

Provide pictures of various objects or instruments. Have children sort them by the type of sound they make (loud/soft, high/low pitch) or by how the sound is produced (hitting, blowing, plucking). Alternatively, play recorded sounds and have kids match them to pictures or imitate the sounds themselves.