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Science · Grade 1

Communicate with Light and Sound

Lighthouses, sirens, traffic lights and whistles all send messages across a distance. Learners sort light and sound signals, invent a flash-and-beep code and decode messages, then build a cup-and-string phone, test it and use the results to improve it. They finish by choosing the best signal for new situations, such as calling a friend around a corner.

  • 3 lessons
  • About 65 minutes
  • Signals check: 7 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, match pairs, put in order, sort into groups and arrange tiles
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What learners will discover

  • Describe how people use light and sound signals to send messages over a distance.
  • Make and read a simple code that uses patterns of flashes or sounds.
  • Build and test a device that sends a message with light or sound, and improve it using test results.

Lessons

  1. Signals over a distance 4 steps2 practiceabout 20 min
  2. Make a code 5 steps3 practiceabout 20 min
  3. Build, test and improve 7 steps3 practiceabout 25 min
  4. Signals check 7 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

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Guide for grown-ups