Title: How we Listen to the World

Age Range

6-8 years (Grades 1-2)

Timing

60 minutes

Lesson Number

Lesson 4 of 4

LEARNING OBJECTIVE Statements

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Describe the functions of the ear and how they help humans hear.
• Recognize and characterize different types of sounds (pitch, volume, etc.)
• Describe the importance of the ears and how they can be protected.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING (UDL) Connections

• Engagement: Students will reflect from their own experiences and share within groups.
• Representation: Use of videos, diagrams, lectures, and hands-on activities.
• Expression: In the activity students will draw and share their own ideas.

ESSENTIAL Question(s)

• What is sound and how does it travel?
• How do our ears help us hear sound?
• How can we protect our ears?

MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGIES Description

• A method to display an online video to the class.
  • Video Link: ‘How Your Ears Work’ by Nemours KidsHealth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXoHKwWmU8
    • CCs are included in the video options.
• Diagram quiz for students.
  • Diagram Link: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bfs-earsactivity.html
    • Solutions are included in the link.
• Different materials with different containers.
  • Rice, sand, coins for example materials.
  • Plastic, metal containers.
• Pencils, papers and scissors.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE & PRE-CLASS Preparation

Students should have a basic understanding of human body parts, as well as knowledge of the 5 senses.

Teachers must prepare the materials stated in [Materials & Technologies]:

• Print copies of the diagram quiz that students will fill out. This can be done individually or in pairs/groups depending on class size.
• Prepare the example sounds by placing the different materials in containers.
• Make sure there is enough pencils/papers/scissors for each group.

LESSON PLAN Sequence

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Introduce the topic of hearing. Ask students to cover their ears and describe what they notice.
• Use the different containers with various materials and prompt students to characterize the different noises they hear. Make sure to include: volume, pitch, resonance.

2. Instructional Content (15 minutes)

• Hand out the diagram quiz to the [students/pairs/groups].
• Play the video ‘How Your Ears Work’ video.
  • As the video plays, students should fill out their copy of the quiz.
• After the video, ask students by raise of hand to help the teacher fill out the quiz.
  • While the teacher fills out the quiz, they should ask the students what each part does.

3. Interactive Learning Activity [What Have you Heard?] (25 minutes)

• Individually, students will come up with 5 different noises that they have heard and experienced. Students will label and draw a picture representing the sound on paper and cut it out.
  • Have students include the pitch, resonance of the noises.
• Students will rank their noises from quietest to loudest.
• In a group (size will vary based on class size), students will share their noises and rankings. The group will collaboratively rank all their collective noises.

4. Conclusion (10 minutes)

• Give students an opportunity to look at other groups rankings from the activity.
• Discuss the importance of protecting your ears.
  • Ask students what they can do to protect ears.

ASSESSMENT Overview

• The teacher should individually assess each student’s diagram quiz.
• The teacher should look at each groups rankings and sound explanation to make sure that the student understands the concepts.
• Make sure that the students are engaged within the group activities and working together.

RESOURCES, DIAGRAMS, & REFERENCES

• ‘How Your Ears Work’ by Nemours KidsHealth – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXoHKwWmU8
• Ear Diagram Quiz by Nemours KidsHealth – https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bfs-earsactivity.html