Questions guided our unit:  How do things make sound? How does sound travel through liquids, solids and gases? What determines the pitch of a sound? How is sound measured and how do our ears allow us to hear sounds?

To help us answer such questions, we went on field trips and invited mystery guests/experts to our school. One field trip was to the Belfer Archive at Syracuse University. (See link) We also invited two musicians to our school. Ben de la Garza Basset is currently creating instruments for children with cerebral palsy. Joe Downing is a musician and professor of music at SU. Both community residents inspired the students to make their own musical instruments by plucking, hitting or blowing! Students performed on their instruments on Flip grid. In addition, a parent volunteered in the classroom demonstrating the different types of sound waves. To support their hands on activities, and field trips children read texts and answered questions about sound and its attributes.