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Year 4

Louder and quieter sounds

I can compare the volume of different sounds and identify loud and quiet sounds.

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New
New
Year 4

Louder and quieter sounds

I can compare the volume of different sounds and identify loud and quiet sounds.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sounds are made when an object vibrates.
  2. Large vibrations create loud sounds and small vibrations create quiet sounds.
  3. Volume describes how loud or quiet a sound is.
  4. The volume of a sound can be changed.

Common misconception

Pupils may only think that larger objects make louder sounds. They may not link the size of vibrations to the volume of sound.

Ensure plenty of opportunities for pupils to strike, tap, blow and shake objects to see how this affects the volume of sound produced.

Keywords

  • Vibrations - A vibration is when an object moves very fast from side–to–side.

  • Loud - A loud sound is one that is easily heard, such as shouting.

  • Quiet - A quiet sound is one that is not as easily heard, such as a whisper.

  • Volume - The volume of a sound is how loud or quiet it is.

  • Compare - We can compare objects by looking at what is the same about them and what is different.

The follow–up lesson introduces the idea of measuring the volume of a sound in decibels, so focus on comparing the volumes of sounds subjectively in this lesson. Be aware of any pupils that have hearing difficulties.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Access to objects such as a whistle and any musical instruments, including a guitar, would be helpful but not essential.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which body part do we use to hear sounds with?
our mouths
Correct answer: our ears
our eyes
Q2.
Sound must travel through a to be heard.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: medium, a medium, Medium
Q3.
In which of the following places can you not hear sounds?
In a dark room.
In a cave.
Correct answer: In outer space.
Q4.
Sound travelling through a solid can be heard ________ and ________ than when travelling through a liquid.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: louder
quieter
Correct answer: clearer
muffled
Q5.
When sound reaches our ears, the inside the ear vibrates, allowing us to hear them.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: eardrum, ear drum, eardrum, eardrums
Q6.
How does sound travel to a person's ears?
An image in a quiz
Sound travels like a laser beam to the person who hears the sound.
Correct answer: Sound travels in waves, like ripples in water, in all directions.
Sound does not travel, it stays in the object.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following can happen when an object vibrates?
Correct answer: It produces sound.
It produces light.
Nothing happens.
Q2.
Match the following sounds to whether it is considered to be a loud sound or a quiet sound.
Correct Answer:fireworks,loud sound

loud sound

Correct Answer:whispering,quiet sound

quiet sound

Correct Answer:shouting,loud sound

loud sound

Correct Answer:banging hard on a drum,loud sound

loud sound

Correct Answer:tapping your fingers lightly on a table,quiet sound

quiet sound

Q3.
Large vibrations create sounds.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: loud, Loud, louder
Q4.
Small vibrations create sounds.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: quiet, Quiet, quieter
Q5.
Volume describes ...
Correct answer: how loud or quiet a sound is.
how high or low a sound is.
how familiar or unfamiliar a sound is.
Q6.
Which of the following statements about the volume of a sound is correct?
The volume of a sound can never be changed.
A low volume sound can never be made higher.
A high volume sound can never be made lower.
Correct answer: The volume of a sound can be changed.