Classifying Sounds

Investigate Activity

Materials (per group)

plastic cup, 10 oz
plastic cup, 2 oz
rubber band (#33)
rubber band (#117 B)
aluminum foil

small paper clip

large paper clip
coins, small & large
metric ruler

Material Substitutions
Other common objects such as plastic straws cut to different lengths and plastic bottles
of different sizes could be used in place of or in addition to the materials listed above.
Advance Prep
Cut a 10 cm square and a 30 cm square of aluminum foil for each group. They will use
this to make aluminum foil balls.
Hints and Tips
Students may need to repeat their observations several times to check their rankings
of pitch and volume.
Results may vary based on students perceptions.

Activity Rubrics

Scoring Key

Investigate Activity
Classifying Sounds

Scoring Criteria
Student followed instructions to compare pitch
and volume of sounds produced by objects.
Student observed the sounds produced by
dropping different objects.
Student classified the sounds of the objects by
ranking their pitch and volume.
Student collected data by recording the ranking
of the objects in a chart.
Student made inferences about properties of
objects sounds of different pitch and volume.

Score

total points
% equivalent

Scott Foresman 4

4 correct, complete, 3 partially correct,

detailed

complete, detailed

2 partially correct, partially

complete, lacks some detail

1 incorrect or incomplete,
needs assistance

Name ________________________

Date __________

Classifying Sounds

Investigate Activity

Follow This Procedure

Record the ranked items in the chart.

Scott Foresman 4

Pitch
Highest to lowest

Volume
Highest to lowest

1.

1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

4.

4.

5.

5.

6.

6.

7.

7.

8.

8.

9.

9.

10.

10.

Interpret Your Results

1. Which of the objects made the sound highest in pitch? lowest in pitch?
Make an inference. What are some properties of objects that produce
sounds high in pitch? What are some properties of objects that
produce sounds low in pitch?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________ Date ________________

2. Which of the objects made the sound highest in volume? lowest in
volume? Make an inference. What are some properties of objects that
produce sounds high in volume? What are some properties of objects
that produce sounds low in volume?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Inquire Further
What would happen to the sounds if you dropped the items on different
surfaces? Develop a plan to answer this or other questions you may have.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Self-Assessment Checklist
________
________
________
________
________

Notes for Home Your child investigated sounds and ranked their pitch and volume.
Home Activity: Use a spoon to tap objects in and around your home and rank the pitch and/or volume of
each sound that is created.

Scott Foresman 4

I followed instructions to compare the pitch and volume of

sounds produced by different objects.
I observed the sounds produced by dropping different objects.
I classified the sounds of the objects by ranking their pitch
and volume.
I collected data by recording the ranking of the objects in a chart.
I made inferences about the properties of objects that produce
sounds of different pitch and volume.

Name ________________________

Date __________

Classifying Sounds

Investigate Activity

Follow This Procedure

Record the ranked items in the chart.
Pitch
Highest to lowest
1.
2.
3.

Scott Foresman 4

4.

Rankings will vary

according to students
perceptions. Items
should be listed in order
of the pitch produced,
from highest to lowest.

Volume
Highest to lowest
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

5.

6.

6.

7.

7.

8.

8.

9.

9.

10.

10.

Rankings will vary

according to students
perceptions. Items
should be listed in order
of the volume produced,
from highest to lowest.

Interpret Your Results

1. Which of the objects made the sound highest in pitch? lowest in pitch?
Make an inference. What are some properties of objects that produce
sounds high in pitch? What are some properties of objects that
produce sounds low in pitch?

Some possible inferences: Materials that are small tend to

____________________________________________________________________
produce sounds that are high in pitch. Materials that are
____________________________________________________________________
large tend to produce sounds that are low in pitch.
____________________________________________________________________

Name _____________________________________ Date ________________

2. Which of the objects made the sound highest in volume? lowest in
volume? Make an inference. What are some properties of objects that
produce sounds high in volume? What are some properties of objects
that produce sounds low in volume?

Some possible inferences: Materials that have greater mass

____________________________________________________________________
and are inflexible tend to produce sounds that are high in
____________________________________________________________________
volume. Materials that are flexible and have less mass tend
____________________________________________________________________
to produce sounds that are low in volume.
____________________________________________________________________
Inquire Further
What would happen to the sounds if you dropped the items on different
surfaces? Develop a plan to answer this or other questions you may have.

Students may plan to repeat the activity using a variety of

______________________________________________________________________
surfaces, such as a wooden board, aluminum foil pan, carpet
______________________________________________________________________
square, or other surfaces.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Self-Assessment Checklist
________
________
________
________
________

Notes for Home Your child investigated sounds and ranked their pitch and volume.
Home Activity: Use a spoon to tap objects in and around your home and rank the pitch and/or volume of
each sound that is created.

Scott Foresman 4

I followed instructions to compare the pitch and volume of

sounds produced by different objects.
I observed the sounds produced by dropping different objects.
I classified the sounds of the objects by ranking their pitch
and volume.
I collected data by recording the ranking of the objects in a chart.
I made inferences about the properties of objects that produce
sounds of different pitch and volume.