Y3/4 (B): Energy: Sound and vibrations
Exploring volume, pitch and how sound travels.
We’re monitoring the upcoming 2025 National Curriculum updates and will revise our resources when we know more. Learn more
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe how sounds are made.
- Describe how sounds are heard through different mediums.
- Explain the relationship between vibration strength and volume.
- Describe the relationship between volume and distance.
- Describe pitch and how to change it.
- Explain how insulating materials can be used to muffle sound.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- To observe closely how different instruments create a sound.
- Research how whales and dolphins communicate underwater.
- Present results using a bar chart.
- Suggest which variables to measure and for how long.
- Design simple results tables.
- Identify when results or observations do not match predictions.
Suggested prior learning
Y3/4 (B): Materials: States of matter
Get startedLessons
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 1: Vibrations
Knowledge:
- To describe how sounds are made.
Working scientifically:
- To observe closely how different instruments create a sound.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 2: Sound waves
Knowledge:
- To describe how sounds are heard through different mediums.
Working scientifically:
- To research how whales and dolphins communicate underwater.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 3: Volume
Knowledge:
- To describe the relationship between vibration strength and volume.
Working scientifically:
- To present results using a bar chart.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 4: Volume and distance
Knowledge:
- To describe the relationship between volume and distance.
Working scientifically:
- To suggest which variables to measure and for how long.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 5: Pitch
Knowledge:
- To describe pitch and how to change it.
Working scientifically:
- To design simple results tables.
Y3/4 (B): Lesson 6: Sound insulation
Knowledge:
- To explain how insulating materials can be used to muffle sound.
Working scientifically:
- To identify when results or observations do not match predictions.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – Science Y3/4 (B): Energy: Sound and vibrations
Aimed at pupils, a double page which gives key facts and definition from the mixed-age unit ‘Sound and vibrations’.

Vocabulary display – Science Y3/4 (B): Energy: Sound and vibrations
A display version of the key vocabulary for the mixed-age unit 'Sound and vibrations'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Music.
English: Reading – comprehension.
Maths: Statistics; Measurement.
British values: Mutual respect.