Distance from sounds: plan
I can make a plan to investigate how the volume of a sound depends on the distance from the sound source.
Distance from sounds: plan
I can make a plan to investigate how the volume of a sound depends on the distance from the sound source.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A sound source is an object that vibrates to produce a sound.
- Scientists ask questions about how the volume of a sound depends on the distance from the sound source.
- A fair test investigation helps us to understand how one thing depends on or affects something else.
- The volume of a sound can be recorded using a data logger.
Keywords
Sound source - An object that vibrates to make a sound is called a sound source.
Volume - The volume of a sound is how loud or quiet the sound is.
Distance - Distance is the amount of space between two things.
Enquiry - Enquiry means to investigate something to find out more.
Fair test - A fair test is an investigation in which only one thing is changed and another is measured. All other things are kept the same.
Common misconception
Children often think that sounds are inside the sound source waiting to come out. They may also think that the volume of sounds are the same no matter how far away from them you are.
Recap how sounds are made when an object vibrates. Children will plan an investigation to find out for themselves by measuring the volume of sounds as they move further away from the sound source.
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Distance from sounds: plan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 science lesson on: Distance from sounds: plan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Introduction to sound unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
This lesson is the planning phase of the enquiry, however, children may benefit from access to sound sources, metre sticks/tape measures and data loggers/sound meters.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions



Exit quiz
6 Questions




