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¿Qué tan lejos puede llegar un susurro?
Waves of Sound Unit | Lesson 2 of 4

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¿Qué tan lejos puede llegar un susurro?

Waves of Sound Unit | Lesson 2 of 4
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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CONVERSEMOS (1 de 2): Pon tu mano en tu garganta y haz un sonido. ¿Qué sientes?

CONVERSEMOS (2 de 2): ¿Qué crees que es el sonido?

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CONVERSEMOS: ¿Qué tipo de experimento podríamos hacer para averiguar más sobre lo que es el sonido?

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Paso
01/18
Obtén estos materiales. Cada persona necesita estas cosas.
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Paso
02/18
Haz un nudo en un extremo del mecate, así.
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Paso
03/18
Agarra el clip así. Empuja la parte de atrás. Mete el círculo que
creaste con el mecate, así. Agarra los dos extremos del clip y
dóblalos.
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Paso
04/18
Usa el lápiz para hacer un agujero en el vaso de esta manera.
Luego, mete el clip en el hoyo.
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Paso
05/18
Experimento número uno: sostén el vaso sobre tu boca, y di
algunas palabras. ¿Sientes algo en el vaso?
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Paso
06/18
Experimento número dos: sostén el mecate y habla en el vaso.
¿Sientes algo en la cuerda?
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Paso
07/18
Experimento número tres: frota suavemente el mecate. Pon el vaso
contra tu oído. ¿Qué sucede?
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Paso
08/18
Experimento número cuatro: tira fuerte el mecate y puntéalo
suavemente. ¿Qué sucede?
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Paso
09/18
Encuentra un compañero o compañera con quién trabajar y
decidan quién será la Voz y quién será el Oído.
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Paso
10/18
Ata el extremo suelto del mecate al extremo suelto del mecate
de tu compañero o compañera, de esta manera.
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Paso
11/18
Oído: ve a un lado del salón Voz: ve al otro lado. Estiren los mecates.
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Paso
12/18
Voz: dí un número entre el uno y el cinco en voz baja en el vaso.
Oído: usa tus dedos para mostrar el número que escuchaste.
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Paso
13/18
Regresa a tu escritorio y contesta la primera pregunta con la ayuda
de tu compañero o compañera.
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Paso
14/18
Conversemos:
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Paso
15/18
Pronto tendrán que decidir qué experimentos van a hacer. Primero,
fíjate qué materiales tienen disponibles.
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Paso
16/18
Contesta la pregunta número dos con tu compañero o compañera.
Elijan dos ideas que creen que mejorarán el teléfono.
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Paso
17/18
Haz la pregunta número tres con la ayuda de tu compañero o
compañera. Haz los dos experimentos que decidieron hacer y
anota los resultados.
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Paso
18/18
Cuando todos hayan terminado, platiquen sobre estas preguntas:
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Slide Image

vibración


1 de 5

aun movimiento rápido de un lado a otro
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sonido


2 de 5

vibraciones que por lo regular puedes escuchar con tus oídos
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eco


3 de 5

cuando un sonido se refleja contra una superficie y regresa al oído de una persona
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experimento


4 de 5

una prueba que se usa para descubrir más información sobre una pregunta
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Slide Image

modelo


5 de 5

una versión de mentiras de algo que los científicos usan cuando la cosa de verdad es algo demasiado grande, pequeño, o complicado para poder usarlo en sus estudios
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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
unit: siblings whispering by wong sze yuen
echo "hello" by © Jojikiba , used under CC BY-SA
graffiti tunnel by jmiller291 , used under CC BY-SA
"awesome echo" by Emma Koi
boy yelling in forest by Zurijeta
Zac by Ric Moxley
grand canyon at sunrise by sumikophoto
Zac's echo in the grand canyon by Ric Moxley
group of friends by aslysun
two people whispering by sezer66
slo mo drum by The Chernett Family
Speaker Vibrations affect Objects by BluePigProductions: Eric van der Aar
cups vibrating from speakers by ReggieErf
Activity
graphic pencil by JohannPoufPouf , used under Public Domain
kitten by Okssi
seagull by CocoParisienne , used under Public Domain
two differently sized cups by Maistrenko Ihor
Credits

Featured Reviews

“This was wonderful! The class was teachable in a 45 minute period and students had the hands-on opportunity to understand vibrations! I appreciate that the materials are easily gotten at a dollar store and around the school. Now that's my kind of science lesson. The children were astounded, which really surprised me. I guess i've forgotten what it was like not to know these things. They were thrilled with thte discovery of vibrations. I think next time, I'll start with a one minute recording of the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" ;) Thanks to the MS team.!! You folks rock it! ”
· Yvonne · Teacher
“The sound videos. It was fun making the telephone. I could hear the voices. Sound vibrations echos playing instruments dropping the ping pong ball crating sound by rubbing my hands together. ”
· Diane · Teacher
“It was everything. The teacher materials prepared me to teach and assess the lesson. The required materials for the mystery were easy to gather and prepare. The video clearly explained each step and had great questions. The students loved the activity and learned the concept. When I told them that I plan to use this curriculum for the remainder of the year they all cheered!”
· Patty · Admin
“The paper cup phones are a GREAT way to "deliver the message" to the students that sound/vibrations DO travel. They loved the activity, and I loved how intently they were listening for the whispered number through the cup. It was soooo quiet :) I took pictures and plan to hang them outside the classroom.”
· Jane · Teacher
“The investigation was amazing! The students were able to explain how the paper cup telephone works using science vocabulary. The looks on their faces when they could hear their partner whispering was priceless!”
· Leah · Teacher
“We have been using a different science curriculum for awhile. My son was hesitant to try something new, but was so glad that we did! He loved the engaging and informative videos, and he was so happy making the paper cup telephones. He enjoyed making them so much, we made several types, experimenting with types and length of string and different types of cups. He didn't want the lesson to end!”
· Kelly · Homeschooler
“Having the students experiment trying to design a better phone!”
· Scott · Teacher
“The string phones were so much fun! the kids didn't want to stop at two changes to their phones. They wanted to try changing everything! Thank you so much for putting together great lessons that are so easy and fun.”
· Pamela · Teacher
“The engagement of the students was wonderful, but the best part was their amazement when they started to realize how the sound was truly traveling down the string!!!”
· Elsie · Teacher
“I did this with a Special Education class that has reading and writing issues. They were VERY excited. Even before tying the cups together, they were excited to discover how the cup and string reacted to their voices. The written portion was small enough to not overwhelm them and we could discuss and model appropriate answers.”
· Lynn · Teacher
“Kids loved "improving" their phones. I loved that they learned so much with just their own cup and string.”
· Lorraine · Teacher
“The students enjoyed the activities. They were simple, non expensive, but helped them understand the key ideas.”
· Carol · Teacher
“It was a great way to reinforce what students had learned about sound waves and how they travel.....my 6th graders loved making and using the telephones.”
· Kristine · Teacher
“Kids were 100% engaged! The best!”
· Buffee · Teacher
“Best science curriculum ever!”
· Valerie · Admin
“I love the hands on nature of learning! This is a standard that is not covered well by our third grades so it is great review/ learning since it will be tested in fourth grade.”
· Cindy · Teacher
“The kids really enjoyed experimenting with different ways to improve their telephones. It was fabulous to see the ideas they came up with - including a six way system. I love you guys!”
· Chriss · Teacher
“Students loved the paper cup telephones! They really grasped the concept of sound waves. ”
· Sharissa · Teacher
“The video instructions on how to make the telephone was very useful. Also, the step by step activities for the students helped in making the connection between vibration and sound”
· Sripriya · Teacher
“making the telephones and experimenting with the sounds from the cups.”
· Malinda · Teacher
“The experiment was entertaining and the video in the extras was awesome! My students want to create a "longer" tin can phone this summer! How many feet was the tin can phone in the vimeo? ”
· Cindy · Teacher
“Students loved to make the changes to their telephone. Great to discover how thick string compares to thin string.”
· Sandy · Teacher
“They loved they sound the string made when they rubbed it. ”
· Jade · Teacher
“The example of experiments with the cup and string”
· Kelsey · Teacher
“Middle schoolers wanting to make and take home additional telephones.”
· Joanna · Teacher
“Students loved making the telephone!”
· Andrea · Teacher
“So much fun! The Kids loved it! Thanks again, Mystery Science :) ”
· Aurora · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 4

Sound, Waves, & Communication

Sound, Vibration, & Engineering

4-PS4-1, 3-5-ETS1-2

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students learn about the connection between sounds and vibration. In the activity, Paper Cup Telephone, students make telephones using cups and string. Students then modify the design of their telephones using different types of supplies to see if they can improve the sound quality.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Paper Cup Telephone worksheet 30 copies
Paper Cup Telephone Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 copy
Paper Cup Telephone Teacher Tips worksheet 1 copy
Engineering Materials
Students will experiment with different materials for their paper cup telephones. They will need more paper clips and additional items, such as construction paper, different sized cups, yarn, ribbon, or dental floss.
Details
60 items
Pencil
30 pencils
Coated Paper Clips (#2)
We recommend coated, because they are stronger. You can use any paper clip that is about 1" long, not jumbo paper clips.
Details
30 clips
Paper Cups (8 oz)
30 cups
String
180 feet
Prep Instructions

Each student will first make half of a paper cup telephone. Then, students will pair up to complete their telephones. Homeschool students will need a partner for the activity.

Students will also have the chance to come up with their own experiments with the telephone. The list below shows materials they could use. You can get more materials if you'd like.

  • more paper cups, including larger and smaller cups
  • construction paper that could be used to make a cup larger
  • ribbon, yarn, dental floss, or other kinds of string
  • more of the same string you used before
  • more paper clips

Prepare String

Each student needs a piece of string that is 6 feet in length. Read our Teacher Tips for an easy way to prepare several strings all at once using a yardstick.

Display Engineering Materials

Your students will have the chance to come up with their own experiments with the phone. But before students attempt to modify and improve the design of their telephones, they need to know which materials are available to them. During Step 15 of the experiment, we suggest you show students which of these will be available.

Exploration

10 mins

Hands-On Activity

40 mins

Grade 4

Sound, Waves, & Communication

Sound, Vibration, & Engineering

4-PS4-1, 3-5-ETS1-2

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Waves Lesson 2: How far can a whisper travel?

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