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How Loud Is Loud?

How does a whisper compare to a roar? Students will investigate sounds and their intensities as they depict sonority in pictures.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Index Cards
  • Index Cards, Unlined

Steps

  • Step 1

    Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB). Humans generally can hear sounds starting at around 10 dB such as a soft whisper or leaves quietly rustling. Normal conversation is about 60 dB. Devices such as lawn mowers, whistling kettles, and a food blenders are in the 80 dB range. A jet plane during takeoff has a level of about 140 dB. Experts warn that noises at dB levels of 85 and higher are dangerous and will cause hearing loss with prolonged exposure, so ear protection should be worn. And at 180 dB hearing tissue death will occur.

  • Step 2

    Have students think of common sounds they might hear throughout the day. Have them make a list and then find their values on a decibel chart. Encourage them to consider a wide range of intensities, from whispering to listening to music to wathching a fireworks display.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to illustrate some of the sounds they listed, using one unlined index card for each drawing. They might want to write the decibel level on the back of the card.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their cards and see if their classmates can guess the decibel level of each.

Standards

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models.

Adaptations

Sound produces waves that travel through the air. We can't see these waves, but there is a way to make them visible in another way. Cover the top of a clear bowl with plastic wrap. Make sure that it's taut and secure it with a rubber band. Sprinkle some sugar or salt crystals on top of the plastic wrap, placing them in the center. Have a student get close to the bowl and say something loudly. See what happens to the crystals!

If possible borrow a decibel meter. The school's science lab or music room might have one or perhaps a student's family member owns and uses one. Have students measure various noises around the school.