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How do they make silly sounds in cartoons?
Lights & Sounds Unit | Lesson 1 of 6

How do they make silly sounds in cartoons?

Lights & Sounds Unit | Lesson 1 of 6
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
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How`would`you`make
the`sound`of`rain?

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration you just completed.
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# Activity: More Fun with Sound Effects

Have your students try other sound effects that are favorites of sound effects artists.

  • For a chugging steam train, shake a box of macaroni and cheese in just the right rhythm.
  • For a crackling fire, crunch a package of ramen noodles or crumple a big piece of cellophane wrap.
  • For a gurgling stream, use a drinking straw to blow bubbles in a cup of water.
  • For a flying bird or bat, slap a pair of leather gloves together.
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# Read-aloud books

These read-alouds are great — but maybe they’d be even better with sound effects. Consider inviting your students to add their sounds. (Be warned: This can get noisy!)

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Slide Image
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vibration


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a quick movement back and forth
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sound


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vibrations that you can usually hear with your ears
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rain


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water drops that fall from clouds
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storm


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weather that usually includes strong wind and rain or snow
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thunder


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a rumbling sound during a storm, often after a flash of lightning
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experiment


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a test used to discover new information about a question
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
door stopper by Landee See Landee Do
door stopper noise by Daniel Ord
bike horn by theanorak
foley artist by Vancouver Film School
child watching tv by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Semmick Photo
hand drawn cartoon by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: shadow216
Image from Finding Dory by Pixar Post
Ellen Degeneres behind the scenes of Finding Dory by ScreenSlam
scene from Star Wars: A New Hope by 20th Century Fox
Animation Sound Design: Ben Burtt Creates the Sounds for Wall-E (Part 1 of 2) by Joe Ludwig
scene from The Old Mill by Walt Disney Pictures
girl thinking by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: espies
cartoon storm by Khurram Dp
Activity
rain storm by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: peresanz
boy peeking through hands by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: iofoto
rainstorm sound by esh9419
rolling thunder sound by MoneySavingVideos
water dripping by Tankersley FX
wind blowing sound by copyrighy free sound effect
Lesson narration:

Grade 1

Light, Sound, & Communication

Sounds & Vibrations

1-PS4-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students investigate vibrations as a source of sound effects for movies. In the activity, Be a Sound Effects Artist, students use their hands and feet to create a "rainstorm," and then use rulers to create a “boing” sound for a cartoon bouncy ball.

Preview activity

Exploration

10 mins

Grade 1

Light, Sound, & Communication

Sounds & Vibrations

1-PS4-1

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