Script: Welcome to the Ingenia Audiology Department. Today, you’ll be audiology apprentices. What is audiology? First, let’s break up the word: audio - logy. Turn to someone nearby and talk about what you think audiology could mean. (Give students a few minutes to discuss and invite a few students to share out to the whole class). Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing. What part of our body do we use to hear? Our ears.
An audiologist is a scientist who studies hearing. As an audiologist, you’ll observe and explore how the parts of an ear work together to allow us to hear.
Play a game of Simon Says which focuses on listening. After completing the game, have students discuss the following questions:
Have students cover their ears (with their hands, ear plugs, ear muffs, or something else) and play a few more rounds of Simon Says. Ask:
Script: Let’s all take a quiet moment to listen closely to the sounds around us. What can you hear? We will all be quiet for 30 seconds and then share what we heard. (wait 30 seconds) What did you hear?
After 30 seconds, invite students to share what they heard. This might include sounds like people walking, talking, or moving; a clock ticking; a door or window opening/shutting; their own breathing or heartbeat; etc.
Script: This week, we will be learning all about ears and hearing. We use our ears to hear sounds around us, but how do ears work? To start, we’ll watch a video that will help us learn about the parts of an ear.
5 min Watch: Movie: Ears (for Kids) - Nemours KidsHealth (© 1995-2023. The Nemours Foundation)
5 min Discuss: After watching the video, lead a class discussion. Ask:
Have students work with a partner to complete an online ear anatomy puzzle: Ear Anatomy Puzzle | Biology Learning Game (http://planeta42.com/)
TIP: If your students do not have access to tablets or computers, (option 1) print out a version of the puzzle and pre-cut the pieces. Students can then work with a partner to put the puzzle together, gluing the parts of an ear onto the proper locations. You may also have students complete a matching worksheet (option 2) instead of cutting out the pieces. (twinkl.co.uk)
To build a model eardrum, students will use a cup, plastic wrap, and sprinkles. This activity will help them build an understanding of vibration and how it relates to sound and hearing.
*Discovery World Science and Technology Center offers this similar lesson.
5 min Script: We hear sound through vibration. Vibration is when something moves very quickly back and forth. When sound hits our eardrum, the eardrum vibrates which allows us to hear. Today, we’ll make model eardrums that can show sound vibrations.
25 min: Support students as they create and explore the model eardrum.
10 min: Guide student discussion to allow for discovery of this science. Ask:
5 min Script: We’ve learned that sound travels in waves, and that the vibration of those waves on our eardrum is what allows us to hear sound. Do you think sound waves are like waves we make when we play in water? Why or why not? Let’s watch a short video to learn about what sound waves are and how they move.
15 min Watch: (Note: you will need to create a free account to watch) Introduction to Sound | Science Video For Kids | Grades K-2 (Generation Genius)
5 min Discussion: Lead a discussion using the After Video discussion questions:
Students can take home their model ear drums to demonstrate with family members. You can also have students engage in a listening activity at home. Have them sit quietly with a family member for 30 seconds and listen to the sounds around them. Then, students can draw the various things that were making sound at home.
