This past week we began a unit aligned with the newest grade one national Next Generation Science curriculum and the VT Common Core State Standards called Waves: Light and Sound. Students will plan and conduct investigations to understanding that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate. Students will also make observations to demonstrate they understand objects can be seen only when illuminated, and students will plan and conduct an investigation using a beam of light as well as an investigation to use sound/light to solve the problem of communicating over a distance. Your child will get read to roll up their sleeves, and learn how to use the scientific method to do investigations and experiments through this unit - interesting, and FUN!!
On Friday, we conducted our first experimented to help us learn about waves. Students thought about what scientists do, and followed the steps to doing an experiment. Partner groups experimented with what waves are to help them build background knowledge to sound and light waves. INQUIRE with your child what happened to the water when a marble, rock, and golf ball were dropped into a bowl of water. Also, INQUIRE with them what steps a scientist follows when conducting experiments.
If you would like to help your child Expand Their Vocabulary (a component of Daily 5 Literacy learning) and use words they will be learning through this unit, I've included the unit vocabulary word list below. It is fun to use new words in context, for example when describing an activity, giving directions or explaining the steps of a process. It is also a rich experience that supports your child's developing Speaking & Listening skills. Hint: there are some interesting spelling patterns to notice in this list, too!
Word List:
-illuminate -vibrate
-wave -light
-sound -matter
-pitch -motion
-beam -transparent
-opaque -translucent
-reflect -communication
-redirect -plan
-observe -experiment
-conduct -hypothesis
