Sound Map

Source:

Various packs, originally sourced from Sharing the Joy of Nature by JB Cornell (1989)

Time

10 - 20 minutes

You will need

• index cards, one per child
• pencils
• a compass

Did you know?

Daubenton's bats are often seen in the early evening flying over water, hunting for insect prey. There echolocating sounds cannot be heard by our ears but can be picked up on a 'bat detector'

Before the activity

This activity could be practiced first in the school grounds, or near a busy street, to enable a comparison to be made between two places - one filled with man-made noises and the other with natural sounds

The activity

Select a site where the group is likely to hear a variety of sounds: from a burn, insects, birds, the wind rustling leaves, the wind between tree branches, drops of water falling, frogs croaking, perhaps even cones falling.

Hold up a card with an X marked at the centre and explain that when they hear a sound they mark a dot on the card representing the direction of the sound from the central point 'X' where they are sitting. They can then draw something which represents the sound, for example, wavy lines and a leaf for rustling leaves, or a bird's head and beak for birdsong.

Point out which way is North and show them how to mark North onto their cards (they will need to do this once they are sitting down)

Explain that the sketches are just to remind them of the sound. They need to concentrate on listening not drawing. It will help if they close their eyes and cup their hands round their ears to concentrate on sounds from different directions.

Give them 1 minute to find a suitable listening spot (move children apart if they are close enough to start talking). Tell them to mark on the X at the centre (which is where they are) and the North direction.

Give them 5-10 minutes to play the listening game and then call them back together

Go through all the sounds the children heard and add them up. Which sounds did they like best? Which did they like the least? Did they hear any mysterious sounds? Why did closing their eyes help them to focus on the sounds?

Suggested Follow up

Repeat this activity in the school ground or in a busy spot to enable a comparison to be made between natural and man-made sounds

Play sound recordings of natural sounds such as the sea and birdsong and a storm and ask the children to close their eyes and let their minds wander. What did they think about? How did they feel? Were their thoughts and feelings affected by the background sound?

Make a combined class sound map by using a large sheet of paper and marking an X at the centre and North. Each child can then add their sounds to the map.

Downloads

• Explore wildlife sounds from around the world with the British Library sound collection
• Find out more about bird songs and why birds sing

Curriculum Links

Science - main

Age Range

• 1. Pre-school / Nursery
• 2. Primary