In this performance task, students apply what they've learned about sound and sound waves by building their own Sound Wave Watcher that uses the vibrations of sound to make visible patterns.

Step 1: Plan ahead

Students may bring in materials and objects from home to use in their machines.

Step 2: Gather supplies

Students will work in pairs to share ideas, but each student will build their own Sound Wave Watcher.

Below we provide a list of basic supplies that we have used in making Sound Wave Watchers. We encourage you to reuse supplies from the paper cup telephone activity and to raid your recycling bin and craft box for additional supplies. You can use those supplies to substitute for or supplement our list.

Possible sound detectors

• cling wrap (vibrates easily when pulled taut)
• sand, glitter, or pepper to reveal vibrations
• construction paper (vibrates relatively easily; great for making a sound box)
• water (potentially messy, but a great way to see vibrations)

Construction & multipurpose materials

• tape or stickers (to be used in place of tape for construction)
• paper clips or binder clips or clothes pins
• pipe cleaners
• plastic cups
• string (can be a sound maker or a sound transmitter)

Sound makers

• pencils (to use for thumping on things)
• musical instruments you can borrow (harmonicas, drums, whistles)
• musical instruments you make (like pot lids or tin cans to thump on)

In addition, students will need the following tools to share:

• scissors
• paper punch

Step 3: Print out worksheets

Each student will need:

• One My Sound Wave Watcher worksheet (Part 1 and 2).
• One My Sound Wave Watcher Rubric