Materials
Night in the Country by Cynthia Rylant
Tape of environmental sounds, optional
Tape player
Instructions
1. Play a tape for the children of night noises in the country or other outdoor sounds.
2. Read the book.
3. After the story, ask the children to recall the sounds in the book, and what made the sounds.Determine whether the sounds are natural or human-made.
4. Take the class on a walking field trip to listen for sounds. Stop in several strategic locationsand just listen. Record the sounds you hear at each location.
5. Return to the classroom and, using the tape as an aid, compile a complete list of the soundsyou heard on the trip.
6. Emphasize the sound as well as the source, for example, chirps produced by birds, croaksproduced by frogs, etc.
7. Classify the sounds as natural or human-made.
8. Brainstorm ideas of other sounds and their sources.More to doMore science: Take an indoor field trip to listen for unique sounds within the school.