- chime
- high/low-pitched cell phone rings, high/low-pitched songs (opera/country), and other recordings that demonstrate pitch
- tape or video recorder (optional)
- whistle
- high
- low
- pitch
- sound
MA Standards:
Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners during daily routines and play.
MA Draft STE Standards:
Physical Sciences/Energy/PS4.B: Apply their understanding in their play of how to change volume and pitch of some sounds.
Head Start Outcomes:
Logic and Reasoning/Reasoning and Problem Solving: Classifies, compares, and contrasts objects, events, and experiences.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
Science and Technology/Inquiry Skills 1: Ask and seek out answers to questions about objects and events with the assistance of interested adults.
Small Group: High and Low Material Sounds
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: An action has to happen to make a sound; Sounds vary in three ways: volume (loud or soft), pitch (high or low), and timbre (quality); A sound becomes louder when the force of the action that is creating the sound is increased, softer when the force is decreased
ELA Focus Skills: Listening and Speaking, Vocabulary
Display the materials and tell children they will use the materials to continue exploring high and low pitch sounds. Explain that they will use the materials instead of their voices to explore making sounds and changing the pitch of sounds. Encourage children to work with a partner and to take turns using the materials. Emphasize the importance of listening to and sharing observations with one another.
- Suggest that one child make a sound while the other gives an upward or downward motion with their hands to indicate high or low. Say, Raymond, will you help Alicia tell whether she has made a high or low pitch sound? Raise your hand if she made a high pitch sound or bring your hand down low if she made a low pitch sound.
- Say, Alicia, you made a high pitch sound with that whistle. I wonder if you can make a low pitch sound with the same whistle?
- Replay one of the sounds children recorded with their voice and say, I wonder if you can make a high pitch sound like that with one of these objects.