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2nd grade · Science · Unit 7 of 14

Light and Sound

Where light and sound come from and how they move

What your child practices

Sound is made by vibrations and can bounce, travel and be absorbed. Light comes from sources such as the Sun, fire and electricity, travels in straight lines and bounces off surfaces. Children also learn to protect their eyes and ears.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 2.8(A); 2.8(B) · sound made by vibrating matter, and loud and soft sounds

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Sound is made when something vibrates. Sound can bounce back as an echo.
  2. Light comes from sources like the Sun, fire and lamps.
  3. The Moon is not a light source. It reflects sunlight.

Example: Is the Moon a source of light? The Moon does not make its own light. It shines with light from the Sun. Answer: no

Light and Sound in Texas

In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 7 of 14 in 2nd grade Science, after Build, Test & Rebuild and before Signals Far Away.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which one makes a loud sound?

    • a cloud
    • a pillow
    • a drum

  2. Question 2

    Which one is NOT a source of light?

    • the Sun
    • the Moon
    • a flashlight

  3. Question 3

    Does it make light or sound? Tap an item, then tap its basket.

    Sort into: 💡 light source · 🔊 sound source

    • 🔊a speaker
    • 🎸a guitar string
    • 🔥a campfire
    • 🥁a drum being hit
    • ✨a firefly
    • 💡a lamp that is on

  4. Question 4

    Which one is a source of light?

    🔥
    • a campfire
    • a rock
    • a blanket

  5. Question 5

    The Sun is…

    ☀️
    • not a source of anything
    • a source of light
    • a source of sound

  6. Question 6

    Which is a sound made by an animal?

    🐺
    • a wind chime
    • a wolf's howl
    • a ringing phone

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