Sound Travels #4 - Sounds through Vibrations

Observing the water

 I began group time with an experiment with the children today. I filled a bowl with water and asked the children to observe. I struck the side of the bowl and here are their observations:

Molly: I see waves.

Allye: The water jumps out.

Alfie: I hear "ding".

Different ways to pluck the elastic

I told them the tiny waves they see are called vibrations. Below is our conversation to connect vibrations to sounds:

No movement from water.

Mary: Can you hear a "ding" now?

Children: No.

I hit the side of the bowl.

Children: I hear "ding"!

Mary: Do you see the vibrations too?

Children: Yes!

Mary: Now look closely and see what you notice about the vibrations and the "ding" at the same time.

I hit the side of the bowl again.

Alfie: There's waves when the ding starts!

Molly: And when the ding goes away the vibration disappear!

Feeling the vibrations

I love it the way they collaborate together to get a conclusion! I explained further that sound is produced through vibrations. 

The children checked their understanding with elastic bands and a jumping macaroni game. The group was very creative in finding ways to produce sounds and vibrations with the elastic bands. The children had a blast when they tried to make the macaroni jump off the drum through vibrations.