Fourth graders study sound waves by making reed instruments with straws

Mrs. Housman's fourth grade class engaged in a practical lesson on sound waves by creating reed instruments using straws. The students cut the straws to various lengths to explore how this affected the pitch of the sounds produced. Following this hands-on activity, they utilized a wave simulation tool to compare the wavelengths and pitches of different sounds.

"The students were able to hear different pitches by adjusting the straw lengths," Mrs. Housman explained. This exercise aimed to give students a better understanding of sound wave properties through direct interaction and experimentation.

The lesson combined creative construction with scientific analysis, offering students an interactive way to learn about acoustics and wave dynamics.