Experimenting

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!

Last week, 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 coin were dropped into a bowl of water. Also, INQUIRE with them what steps a scientist follows when conducting experiments.

Can sound make vibrating materials move? That was another question our scientists posed last week. To test this out, students used their voice to make salt "jump" on a plastic covered bowl. INQUIRE with your child what their "conclusions" were.

This week, our question will change- can vibrating materials make sound? We will use some elastic bands and cover a shoebox to put this question to the test. INQUIRE with your child later in the week about what they found out.