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What do we see and hear in the Everglades at night?

What do we see and hear in the Everglades at night?
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We started this unit with a trip to the Everglades. Then, we learned a lot about lights and sounds. Let’s review some of the things that we learned.
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Watch, then discuss. What do each of these things do when they make sound?
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When each of these things make sound, they shake back and forth really fast. When something shakes back and forth really fast, we say it vibrates. The sounds we hear are caused by the vibrations.
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Now listen to an alligator that is not vibrating. You might hear other animals, but try to listen for the alligator. Discuss. What do you notice about how the alligator sounds when it isn’t vibrating?
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When the alligator isn’t vibrating, it is silent. Without vibrations, there is silence.
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Sounds are caused by vibrations. Silence is caused by things not vibrating.
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Watch the Sun set, then discuss. As the Sun sets more and more, why does it get harder and harder to see?
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Light causes us to see things. As the Sun sets, there is less and less light. Less light makes it harder to see. And when there is no light, we can’t see anything at all.
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Vibrations cause sounds. And light makes it so that we can see. A lack of vibrations causes silence. And when there is no light, it causes us to not be able to see.
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When something makes something else happen, it is called cause and effect. For example, vibrations cause sounds. Vibrations are the cause, and sounds are the effect.
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Discuss. Light causes things to be able to be seen. What about the opposite? What is the effect when the light is gone, and it is totally dark?
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When there is no light, it causes an effect. The effect is that we can’t see.
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We started this unit with a trip to the Everglades. Now, let’s visit the Everglades at night. At night, we will see and hear some interesting effects. We want to explain what is causing those effects.
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This is a lake in the Everglades. If we wait for the Sun to set, the fireflies and alligators will come out. But there is something strange about what we see and what we hear. Click play when you are ready for night to fall. It might help if you turn the lights off in your room!
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It is strange when these animals are together at night. We can see the fireflies, but we can’t hear them. And the alligators are the opposite. We can hear them, but we can’t see them. Let’s see if you can explain what causes each of these effects.
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Step
01/05
This is the Everglades at Night worksheet. You will use it to explain what causes you to hear one of the animals but not see it. And you will explain what causes you to see the other animal but not hear it.
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Step
02/05
Each box has two blanks for you to fill in. The first blank is for you to write if you can see the animal or not, or hear it or not. This is the effect.
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03/05
The second blank is where you will write what causes you to see the animal or not, or hear the animal or not.
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04/05
The effects and the causes are at the top of your page to help you. Be sure to choose the right causes and right effects for each animal!
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05/05
Your teacher will have you start now. You might do the first box together, or you might get started on your own. Remember to put your name on your worksheet.
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Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this performance task, students will use observations to explain the cause and effect relationship behind the ways that fireflies and alligators appear and sound under the darkness of night.

After a review of the unit, students will make a final nighttime observation of the alligators and fireflies. They will use what they have learned over the course of the unit to explain the cause and effect relationship behind what they see and hear.

Preview activity
Number of students:
Everglades at Night printout 1 per student
Everglades at Night Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Lights & Sounds Teacher Guide teacher-only resource 1 per class
Prep Instructions

Before starting this lesson, review the unit Teacher Guide for an overview of the Lights & Sounds Anchor Layer.

Students can work individually, in pairs, or you may choose to work with small groups. Print as many copies of the Everglades at Night worksheet as you will need for your students. One copy will be needed for each individual, each pair, or each small group.

With your students, begin the lesson. It begins with a brief unit review. Then, move through the activity. The activity includes a step-by-step guide and discussion questions throughout.

Unit Review

15 mins

Hands-On Activity

25 mins