Sounds All Around
RSS
The science of sound is fascinating, and in the noisy world we live in, real-life lessons are everywhere. Put these books together with an activity unit and prove to your kids that the library doesn't always have to be a quiet place! PBSKids Zoom Web site has a bunch of projects to get you started, and students can even post their results online. To mix in some video, visit neoK12 for clips on the science of sound, resonance, and more.
RANDOLPH, Joanne. Sounds in My World/Los sonidos en mi mundo. tr. by María Cristina Brusca. (My World of Science Series). Rosen/PowerKids Press. 2006. PLB $18.75. ISBN 978-1-4042-3318-8.
K-Gr 3-English and Spanish text is stacked on the left page of each spread in this bilingual take on sound and its characteristics. The small size and vivid photographs appeal to emerging readers, and perhaps even to older ESL students. An index and a brief photo glossary are included.
CARLUCCIO, Maria. The Sounds Around Town. illus. by author. Barefoot. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-905236-28-2.
PreS-Gr 1-This delightful title is guaranteed to perk up reading time. Each spread depicts an activity from the day and the sounds that surround it - "shake, shake" as the sugar goes into Mom's coffee, "splish, splash" goes the tub water. Carluccio's colorful and fun paper collage illustrations include boxed sound words on the pages, making this a good teaching tool as well as a terrific read-aloud.
GUILLAIN, Charlotte. Different Sounds. (Sounds All Around Us Series). Heinemann. 2009. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-1-4329-3208-4.
PreS-Gr 1-Also available in Spanish, Different Sounds takes on sound waves and how these change the pitch and volume of particular sounds. The text is simple, with just one statement on each page and a photograph illustrating the concept presented. A picture glossary and an index are included.
PFEFFER, Wendy. Sounds All Around. illus. by Holly Keller. (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). HarperCollins. 2009. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-445177-2.
K-Gr 2-The science of sound is beautifully presented by Pfeffer and Keller with simple text and pen and ink, watercolor, and pastel illustrations. This book invites action - "knock knock", "clatter snap clap" - and uses several examples from the animal world, including bats, howler monkeys and whales, to discuss sound concepts. Back matter includes seven sound activities that require nothing more complicated than water, paper cups, string, and ears!
