Unit Plan 3 (Grade 4 Science): Energy Transfer—Sound & Light

Focus: Make observations to provide evidence that sound and light can transfer energy from place to place (causing materials to vibrate, move, warm, or become visible).

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Science (Physical Science — Energy & Waves)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students investigate how sound and light move energy from one place to another. Through hands-on activities with vibrating objects, sound makers, flashlights, and reflective materials, students collect evidence that sound can cause materials to vibrate or move and that light can travel, reflect, and warm objects. They learn to describe what they observe during these energy transfers and use those observations to explain how sound and light act as carriers of energy in everyday situations.

Essential Questions

• How do sound and light show that energy is moving from one place to another?
• What evidence can we see, hear, or feel that sound and light are transferring energy?
• How do vibrations relate to sound, and how does light interacting with objects (reflecting, being absorbed) show energy transfer?
• Why is it important to use careful observations and data when we explain how sound and light move energy?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe everyday examples of sound and light transferring energy (e.g., music making objects shake, sunlight warming surfaces).
2. Plan and carry out simple investigations showing that sound is produced by vibrating materials and can cause other materials to vibrate or move.
3. Make and record observations that light can travel from a source, reflect off objects, and warm surfaces, showing energy transfer.
4. Use data tables, drawings, or simple charts to organize observations of sound and light interactions.
5. Construct a brief written or oral explanation using evidence to show that sound and light transfer energy from place to place.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 4-PS3-2 — Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents (this unit focuses on sound and light).

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can describe a situation where sound causes something to vibrate, move, or change.
• I can describe a situation where light causes something to be seen or warm up.
• I can record observations in a table or drawing that show where the energy started and where it went.
• I can explain, using evidence, that sound and light can carry energy from one place to another.
• I can use words like sound, light, energy, vibration, and transfer correctly in my explanation.