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.
Please wait…
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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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
When there is no light, it causes an effect. The effect is that we can’t see.
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.
Please wait…
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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!
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.
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.
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.
Step 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.
Step 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!
Step 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.
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.
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.
