Physical Science · Light & Sound
Sound & Vibrations: How Sounds Are Made
Tap, pluck, watch, and listen. Notice that vibrating materials move back and forth and can make sound. Then observe that sound can make other materials vibrate.

Lesson plan
Sound & Vibrations: How Sounds Are Made
A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- I can tell when something is vibrating by watching it move back and forth.
- I can connect a vibration with the sound I hear.
Key science ideas
- A vibration is a quick back-and-forth movement.
- A vibrating material can make sound.
- When a sound source stops vibrating, it stops making that sound.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 1
- 35 min
- ~8 min prep
- 1-PS4-1
- 9 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary