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How Can We Send a Message Using Sound?

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How Can We Send a Message Using Sound? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of grade 1 engineering and physical science standards. In this module, students:

Ask questions and use a modeling activity to better understand a problem.
Use prior experiences and a reading to research ways that people communicate over different distances.
Conduct investigations to test their ideas about how they can make sound.
Use evidence from investigations and research to explain what causes sound.
Design, build, and test sound-making devices to solve two problems.

Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.

MODULE BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Music and the Smithsonian Institution
music.si.edu/explore
This link gives examples of music-related resources at the Smithsonian Institution.

Lesson 1: Time to Go!

Family Letter
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Before starting How Can We Send a Message Using Sound? share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.

Field Trip Model
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This file provides guidance for setting up the field trip modeling activity.

Ada Asks Introduction (1:41)
Ada introduces students to a problem that occurred during a school field trip. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.

Suggested pause: (01:04)
But there was a problem. Can you guess what it was?

Watch on YouTube

or Download Video

Lesson 2: Sending the Message

Communication through History
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Students explore this timeline in an Extension.

Timeline of Human Communication
https://arcg.is/1OSyCz
A StoryMap with information about the communication methods and devices humans have used throughout history.

Lesson 4: Sound Test

Sound Stop
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This sample notebook sheet is used as the investigation plan is discussed.

Lesson 5: Vibration and Sound

Plucked String (00:10)

Struck Metal (00:12)

Vibrating Metal (00:07)

"The Fox"
https://carolinascienceonline.com
Audio files are used to introduce students to the sounds of different instruments.

Model Instruments
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This table shows which audio files represent which sound investigations.

Lesson 6: Drum Vibrations

“When the Saints Go Marching In”
https://carolinascienceonline.com
This audio file is used to introduce students to the sounds of different instruments.

Model Drum
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This file is used during student discussions.

Salt Jump (00:35)
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This video provides teacher guidance for a classroom demonstration.

Lesson 8: Sounding Off

Device Testing
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This sample activity sheet is used as the device testing plan is discussed.

Lesson 9: River Crossing-Part 1

Ada Asks Design Challenge (2:08)
Ada introduces students to the design challenge. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.

Suggested pause: (00:19)
What part of your design do you think worked best?

Watch on YouTube