Curriculum › Grade 1 › Science

Sending a Message

  • Grade 1
  • Science
  • 1-PS4-4
  • Physical Science: Waves (Light & Sound)
  • Free lesson

Aligned to 1-PS4-4 — Next Generation Science Standards.

What this lesson teaches

We can use light or sound to send a message to someone far away. A flash or a sound can tell a friend something without shouting.

Worked examples

Example 1

You can flash a flashlight on and off to say hello to a friend across the yard, or ring a bell to call everyone to dinner.

Example 2

A fire alarm makes a loud sound so everyone in the building knows to leave right away.

Example 3

A stop sign works without any sound at all. Its shape and color carry the message just as well.

Practice questions

  1. Think of a way to say "come here" using only a sound. What would you use?
  2. Blink a flashlight two times at a friend. Can they blink back?
  3. Listen for sounds that send you a message, like a doorbell or a car horn.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Enviar un mensaje

Podemos usar la luz o el sonido para enviar un mensaje a alguien que está lejos. Un destello o un sonido puede decirle algo a un amigo sin gritar.

Ejemplo 1: Puedes prender y apagar una linterna para saludar a un amigo al otro lado del patio, o tocar una campana para llamar a todos a cenar.

Ejemplo 2: Una alarma de incendios hace un sonido muy fuerte para que todos en el edificio sepan que deben salir de inmediato.

Ejemplo 3: Una señal de alto funciona sin ningún sonido. Su forma y su color llevan el mensaje igual de bien.

More Physical Science: Waves (Light & Sound) lessons

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