Teaching Science has definitely not been my favorite subject to teach…even in first grade! It always seemed so challenging to explain such difficult concepts to kids!

I’m not gonna lie…I often pushed Science off in my plan book because I wouldn’t want to face the questions from first graders {lame, I know!} When my school district decided to move over to the Next Generation Science Standards, I knew I had to get ahead of this curve and dive in deep. I set out to create easy to understand and do science lessons!

I am SO excited for my first unit in the 1st Grade Standards, Sound & Light! You guys, this labor of love was created so that ALL of us can easily teach the NGSS and actually understand it!

This unit is chock-full of step-by-step lessons, experiments, anchor charts, book suggestions, YouTube videos, response sheets and more to make sure your students understand Sound & Light through hands-on experiments and investigations.

Each lesson includes a learning target, background information, talking points, a book suggestion, and

Background Info for the Teacher

When I taught from our Science curriculum, I was always so overwhelmed by how much background info was provided! Was I going to be tested at the end? Eeeek!

In this Sound & Light Investigations unit, I’ve shared just the right amount of information to totally “get” what you’re teaching! There are also easy-to-understand vocabulary posters to help your students understand these big ideas!

Each of the investigations uses super simple materials that you have around your classroom or can easily get from parents.  I’ve included a Materials List to make gathering these goodies easy!

I’ve also included a Family Letter to inform your students’ families what they’re learning about!

What is a Scientist?

Kick off the unit by chatting about what being a scientist actually means!

Kids L•O•V•E science! Get them thinking about just what a Scientist does! It’s fun to gauge their thinking and start meaningful conversations about science.  The bonus is that your students will start to see themselves as scientists!

I had SO much fun doing these experiments when I was making this unit, so I am certain you will, too! The best part – your students will definitely have fun and learn about light & sound along the way!

You’ll start this set of sound explorations by taking your kiddos outside for a sound hunt.  Give them a while to explore and record the sounds they hear using their senses.  They’ll fill out a mini book and add their sounds to a poster.

Once your students have an awareness that sound is everywhere, you’ll move into lessons to get them making sounds and understanding sound waves.

This kazoo is SURE to be a hit in that exploration!

In the following lessons, students will continue to explore how sound moves and how they can change the sound things make.  Simple supplies from around your classroom will give students a chance to make their very own instruments!

Thankfully I had this cutie to help me test out this hanger instrument! This lesson helps students see how sound moves through different materials.

The final lesson in the sound exploration gives students a chance to see how sound moves through solids, liquids & gases.

By the end of these experiments, students will have a good understanding of sound! I’ve included book suggestions, YouTube links, and additional ways to extend the lessons!

Here’s a peek at all the lessons for sound.

To start, your students will explore why light is needed! Without light, we can’t see anything!

Then, you’ll move into a discussion about Natural vs. Artificial light.

The students will follow up the discussion with this PowerPoint game.  Check out a sneak peek below!

After understanding that light is necessary to see and that there are various ways to see light, you’ll move into a bit meatier ideas.  In the next lesson, kids will investigate different materials to see how light reacts.

Grab some cheap flashlights from the dollar store and a few different cups and you’re all set to go!

Through exploration, the students will see that light affects transparent, opaque, and translucent materials differently!

By far, my favorite lesson is #4 – Eye Tricks!

Students will do an experiment to see just how refraction works! I bet this will be a crowd pleaser in your classroom!

Check it out in action!

Have you ever met a kid who doesn’t love a mirror? Well, turn that fun and curiosity into some learning with these explorations. 

Students will explore with mirrors, toys, and lights to see what happens with light!

To wrap up your light study, you’ll give students a chance to head outside and explore shadows

To show their learning, students will wrap up the unit combining their knowledge of sound and light!

First up, they’ll create a telephone using string and cups. Don’t you remember doing this when you were a kid? Now, you can do it again…and share the science behind it!

And the final project will be creating a way to communicate with a friend…without speaking! Your students are sure to get creative with this activity!

I promise this entire Sound & Light Investigations unit is TEACHER friendly! The kids will have so much fun learning and exploring that they won’t even realize they’re learning those new Next Generation Science Standards!

Want to check out some Sound & Light books for teaching this unit?
Check out this post!

Slainte!