Sounds Around
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In this activity, children explore the sounds of nature and imitate them using their own voices and instruments that they make together.
Objectives
Provide opportunities and materials for children to:
- Listen to natural sounds made by living and nonliving things.
- Imitate the sounds they hear.
- Communicate using sign language.
- Express feelings about natural sounds through music, movement, and art.
- Incorporate the knowledge they gain into their everyday world.
- Play outside in a natural setting.
This is one of 12 activities that can be found in PLT’s Trees & Me activity guide for exploring nature with young children. For the complete activity and more like it, purchase Trees & Me at Shop.PLT.org and/or attend a professional development training in your state.
K-2 Early Learning Standards: NGSS, Common Core, and C3 Framework
To help educators link instruction to academic requirements, each Trees & Me activity includes an Early Learning Standards graphic, which lists practices and concepts addressed in the activity for four subject areas: Science, English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.
The Early Learning Standards Connections in this guide are based on the following national standards:
- Science, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- English Language Arts, Common Core State Standards-ELA
- Math, Common Core State Standards-Mathematics
- Social Studies, C3 Framework for Social Studies
Correlations to NAEYC Accreditation Standards
Along with academic correlations, Trees & Me activities align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 10 standards system for early childhood programs.
Based on research on the development and education of young children, the standards define what NAEYC believes all early childhood programs should provide. This document identifies correlations between Trees & Me activities and NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards and Assessment Items.
Correlations to the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
PLT identifies correlations between Trees & Me activities and Head Start’s Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), which outlines what early learners should be able to do in each of five essential learning domains.
Correlations identify which Trees & Me activities provide learners with opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in ELOF’s five domains.
My Forest is Green
Follow along a curious young boy who explores the urban forest near his home and describes the shapes, textures, and colors of the plants and animals that live there and encourages young children to observe and appreciate the nature around them.
Deep in the Woods
Deep in the Woods Grades K-2 Written by: Christopher Corr Published by: Francis Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN-13: 978-1847807274 Recommended Reading Spend time in the woods and meet many new animal friends! This modern retelling of the traditional Russian folktale “Teremok” is a joy for adults and children alike. In Russian, the word teremok means... Read more »
Where’s Rodney?
Where’s Rodney? Grades K-2 Written by: Carmen Bogan Illustrated by: Floyd Cooper Published by: Yosemite Conservancy, 2017 ISBN-13: 9781930238824 Recommended Reading Rodney can’t seem to sit still. At school, he is always more interested in what is happening outside the window than what is going on inside the classroom. Rodney has a reputation for... Read more »
Seed School
Seed School Grades K-2 Written by: Joan Holub Illustrated by: Sakshi Mangal Published by: Quarto Publishing Group USA, 2018 ISBN-13: 978-1633223745 Recommended Reading Spend a day at seed school and meet student seeds of all different shapes and sizes. Colorful illustrations showcase the biodiversity of the garden, while the story’s verse helps young readers... Read more »
Wild Ones, Observing City Critters
Wild Ones, Observing City Critters Grades K to Grade 5 ISBN-13: 978-1584695547 Dawn Publications, 2016 Recommended Reading A new children’s picture book called Wild Ones, Observing City Critters offers readers a tour of wildlife that can thrive in urban areas. The main character is Scooter, a dog who wanders away from home. Readers are invited... Read more »
Flashlight
Flashlight Grades PreK to Grade 2 ISBN-10: 1452118949 Chronicle Books, 2014 Recommended Reading What happens when a little boy leaves the comfort and security of his tent to explore the unfamiliar and unpredictable environment that surrounds his camp… in the dark? Armed with only his flashlight, the main character of this book takes readers... Read more »
When Sophie Gets Angry
When Sophie Gets Angry Ages 2-6. ISBN 0590189794 Published by Scholastic, Inc. June 2004 Authored by Molly Bang Recommended Reading This book, appropriate for ages 2-6, is an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book and winner of the Caldecott Honor (awarded annually to artists for the most distinguished American picture books for children.) It... Read more »
The Listening Walk
The Listening Walk Ages 3-6 By Paul Showers Illustrated by Aliki ISBN: 9780064433228 Recommended Reading Try exploring nature with all of your senses! Each season provides unique opportunities for young children to “tune in” to the sounds of our natural environment. Begin using your hearing with The Listening Walk by Paul Showers. In this book, a... Read more »
EE Resources
Explore Neighborhood Sounds
PLT educator Karen Christenson offers Ideas for Young Learners to Explore Sounds around their Neighborhood.
Sound Exploration and STEM
Engage students in real-world applications of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education with STEM connections for this activity: STEM: Sounds Around.
A Listening Walk
Check out this instructional video for home learners by the Jeffers Foundation: A Listening Walk. It shows children how to practice listening for nature sounds, and how to collect acorns and other natural objects to make a sound guessing game.
Acoustical Society of America’s Sound Resources
Explore Educator Resources from the Acoustical Society of America, including lesson plans, activities, and a gallery of interesting nature sounds.
Identify Birds
Merlin is a free app for identifying birds you see and hear. Using your location, the date, and your answers to a few simple questions (or your sound recording), Merlin shows you likely birds.
ASL Kids
ASL Kids is an app that can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices. This app introduces users to the world of communication by sign language. ASL Kids also has a YouTube channel with over 200 videos teaching words and phrases in sign language.
Find Nearby Trails and Parks
AllTrails is a free app that helps users discover the outdoors. Use it to find a hiking path suitable for children, to search for local places to bike or fish, or to plan a national park visit.
Early Childhood Education
Are you looking for information on the field of childhood education? All Education Schools offers a clearinghouse of resources to explore professional organizations, licensing and credentials, teaching strategies, research, and more – all related to early childhood.
Login to download supporting materials such as appendices and teaching tips.
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