Jennifer Yeager
EDU 551
Tuning Forks Lab-7th Grade Science
Title of Lesson: Tuning Forks Lab-Will take two 50-minute periods
Overview of the Lesson: This lesson is a formative assessment that requires students to
investigate sound waves. The energy of sound waves disturbs the molecules in a
medium, making them rock back and forth in time with the wave frequency. The
students are going to use two tuning forks vibrate at the same frequency.
Lesson Learning Targets or Objectives:
Indiana Science Standards for the Seventh Grade: 7.3.20-Describe that something
can be “seen” when light waves emitted or reflected by it enter the eye just as
something can be “heard” when sound waves from it enter the ear. 7.3.18-
Describe that light waves, sound waves, and other waves move at different speeds
in different materials. 7.2.7-Incorporate circle charts, bar and line graphs,
diagrams, scatter plots, and symbols into writing, such as lab or research reports,
to serve as evidence for claims and/or conclusions.
Professional Standards- National Standards for Adolescents 14-18 in Science:
Engaging the Science Learner-Teachers need to think systematically about their
practice and learn from their experiences; Sustaining a Learning Environment;
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Fairness; Fostering Science Inquiry; Making
Connections in Science
Lesson Objectives:
Students will be able to explain how sound affects and is affected by different
media, speeds, and interference.
Students will identify how vibrations travel in different media, how resonance
travels from one material to another, and how sound travels.
Lesson Activities:
1) Presentation and Explanation: (Hook and organize): PowerPoint presentation on
how sound travels through materials differently depending on temperature,
elasticity, and density. (10 minutes)
2) Class Discussion and where we are going: If you could live in outer space, you’d
have a very quiet life. Why is that? The students would discuss how sound
cannot travel without a medium and that space has a vacuum. (10) Minutes
3) Concept and Direct Teaching: Using the Tuning Fork Lab Handout (30 minutes)
I will question the students on what sound does to the surrounding media.
I will then pose the question on what property of a sound wave changes as
it gets louder.
I will pose the problem that need investigating: How does sound interact
with a medium? I will then cause sound with two tuning forks and pass
them around so that the students can look, feel, and touch what they will
be working with in the lab.
4) Cooperative and Problem-Based Learning: Tuning Fork Lab
In groups of two, students will be performing five tests and note any
differences between their observations.
Students will need two tuning forks, 320 Hz; a beaker, 400 ml; water; and
a resonance box.
This is an investigative lab so the students will experiment and use
problem- solving techniques to investigate, observe, and experiment with
their tuning forks. (40 minutes-Equip). The students have to perform five
tests with their tuning forks.
5) Conclusion: We will end by analyzing and concluding the data found from each
groups five tests: Changes in loudness, pitch, and effect. (10 minutes)
Essential Questions (Why):
Did the loudness of the sound change in some tests?
How did the pitch change in the moving-source test?
Why did you experiment with two tuning forks that vibrate at the same
frequency?
How does one vibrating object make another object vibrate, when they’re not
touching?
Adaptations and Accommodations (Tailor):
Mrs. Corbett will be assisting with my special needs students.
Handouts will be read to the students who can not read
There will be extended time for the students with IEP’s to finish their five tests
and the analysis of the data.
Resources (Equip):
Two Tuning Forks
Tuning Fork Lab Handout
400 ml Beaker
Conclusion and Assessment (Evaluate, reflect):
Conclusion includes discussing the analysis of the five tests from each group.
The students will be assessed on their data tables and the answers to the critical
thinking and applications questions.
Connection to Showcase Teaching Unit (Organize):
All of the activities listed do directly relate to the Showcase Teaching Unit of the
Nature of Sound. The tuning fork lab allows the students to be hooked into
learning about sound. The students can try to visualize the sound being carried
from one material to another and back again. The students will grasp a better
understanding of how sound travels through different media differently.
Identifications of Teaching Models and Facets:
The teaching models are identified through with the blue font. The WHERETO
considerations are shown in red font. The six facets are:
Explain vibrations and sound waves
Interpret amplitudes and loudness
Apply your knowledge of sound and sound waves in this experiment
See from the points of view of other scientist’s as they are being scientists
themselves
Empathize with people who are deaf
Reflect on the importance of looking at all options when experimenting and
looking at all variables in the experiment
Metacognitive Reflection:
This lesson is a great way to continue in the Nature of Sound unit. Like lesson 1,
the students really investigating, problem solving, experimenting and working in
groups on projects. This is a great way for me to give substantial feedback to my
students, during the lab. I can reinforce how to properly find and report data. I
will also be able to discuss the options of the different data tables. The students
will improve on their data entry and analysis. Through immediate feedback and
reflection from others in the class, the students will be able to improve on their
learning, lab reports, and knowledge. Many of my students struggle in science or
from a learning disability. The cooperative, hands on approach is a great way to
incorporate the materials into a real life situation that just makes sense to some of
my kids. The students can learn, improve, and have fun all at the same time.