Classroom Activities

Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Pre- and Post-Visit Activities
Vocabulary
The following terms are used in, or are related to, the content of this program.
Familiarize your students with them before your visit.
Sound. Anything you hear
Vibration. The back-and-forth movement of an object or substance
Pitch. The highness or lowness of sound
Intensity. The degree of strength and force a sound has
Sound wave. The way in which sound travels from an energy source to the ear
Frequency. The number of sound waves that pass a fixed point per second
Hertz. Unit used to measure frequency
Volume. The loudness of a sound
Decibel. Unit used to measure sound
Review Questions
After seeing Shake, Rattle, and Roll, review the following content questions with
your class:
1. Question: How is sound made?
Answer: Sound is made when something vibrates
2. Question: What are some examples of high-pitched sounds (in nature, at
your home, at school, etc)?
Answer: Answers will vary.
3. Question: When a vibration moves fast, what is the pitch like?
Answer: The pitch is high.
4. Question: How does sound travel?
Answer: Sound travels in waves.
5. Question: When a pitch is low, what are the waves like?
Answer: When the pitch is low the sound waves are small and long.
6. Question: What are some examples of intense sounds (in nature, at your
home, at school, etc)?
Answer: Answers will vary.

Related Links and Experiments
String Telephone
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/stringtelephone.html
This hands-on experiment allows students to construct their own string
telephones. Students can use the scientific method to predict what will happen
when a variable (such as the cup size or cup material) is changed. Students can
share their feedback and findings with other students around the U.S.
Sound Waves in Stereo
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/stereohanger.html
This hands-on experiment helps students to grasp the concept of sound waves
and vibrations. Students can use the scientific method to predict what will happen
when a variable is changed. Students can share their feedback and findings with
other students around the U.S.
American Sign Language
Explain to students that there are many people that cannot hear sound. Ask them
to imagine communicating without talking. Have students pair up and spell out a
message or their names in sign language. Add a language-arts component by
asking the students to write about what sound they would miss the most if they
were deaf and why.
With a parent’s permission, older students can visit the following Web site
and watch video examples of ASL words: http://www.aslpro.com
For extra credit ask students to “sign” a favorite nursery rhyme or short
song.
Do It Yourself Instruments!
See the following Web site to find out how to start a band with your class
using recycled materials:
http://www.storytimesongs.com/instruments.html