Science A, Unit: Sound—How We Hear Sound: Parts of the Ear
Deaf Education Lesson Plan
Michigan State University
Date: November 5, 2008
Grade Level: Middle School—6th, 7th, 8th
Intended Duration of Lesson: 50 minutes
State of Michigan Standards/ Benchmarks:
● P4.5D—Explain how waves propagate from vibrating sources.
Lesson Goals:
● Identify the parts of the ear
● Describe how sound waves are received by the ear
● Dramatize how the ear receives sound waves
Lesson Objectives:
● Given instruction and access to a an animated video clip, work in a large group to
dramatize how the ear receives sound waves with 100% accuracy.
● Given a diagram of the ear, accurately color-code and label specified parts of the
ear with 100% accuracy.
● Given a diagram of the ear and instruction on how the ear receives sound waves,
accurately identify the function of 4 out of 5 parts of the ear.
● Given instruction, describe how the ear receives sound waves accurately using 4
out of 5 of the following terms and phrases, outer ear, middle ear, inner ear,
transfer of energy, messages to the brain.
Materials:
● Student work folders
● White board
● Markers, highlighters, colored pencils
● How We Hear Sounds worksheet for each student
● Video clip, How Ear Works retrieved from YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws2uapeS3Yk
● Document camera
Prior Knowledge: Students have recently begun studying sound. They have participated in
several exploratory activities revolving around the production of sound and vibrations. Sound
waves and vibrations have also been described on the molecular level.
Procedure:
● Students will sit in the NEW table arrangement with their NEW lab partners
Quinn & Vanessa
Tabious & Dylan
Torri, Ajena & Tianna
Cassie & Dominique
● Ask, How do our ears hear sound?
● Record student responses on the white board
● Encourage students to draw on their knowledge of vibrating objects and sound
● Project the outer ear portion of the ear diagram from Delta Science Reader: Sound
on the document camera
● Describe how sound waves enter the outer ear
● Reveal the middle ear portion of the ear diagram
● Describe how sound waves are transferred to the eardrum and then the hammer,
anvil and stirrup
● Reveal the inner ear portion of the ear diagram
● Describe how the stirrup transfers energy to the cochlear
● Describe the cilia inside the cochlear and how they send messages to the brain
through the auditory nerve
● Show video clip, How Ear Works retrieved from YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws2uapeS3Yk
15 minutes
● Describe dramatization activity of how the ear receives sound waves
● Project ear diagram on document camera
● Distribute nametag labels
Outer Ear, Ear Canal, Eardrum, Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup, Cochlea, Cilia,
Auditory Nerve
● Students should line up in according to their assigned part of the ear facing the
document camera for easy reference
● Encourage students to dramatize their assigned part of the ear
● Guide dramatization by indicating the transfer of energy throughout the ear
● Reference the projected diagram of the ear as needed
10 minutes
● Collect nametags and students return to their seats
● Describe labeling and color-coding activity
● Project How We Hear Sounds worksheet on the document camera
● Describe the worksheet and further expectations
This worksheet doesn’t include all of the parts we just learned about, so we
need to add them ourselves. I’m going to write a list of things to add on the
white board. Please use different colors to show the different parts. Take your
time and do nice, neat work because you will use this paper again on Friday
for a special project.
Add Labels: hammer, anvil, stirrup, cochlea, ear canal, auditory nerve
Color-Code: outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, hammer, anvil, stirrup
● Model labeling and color-coding the worksheet
● Students work independently for 15 minutes
● Support students to ensure productive work is being completed
● Support students as needed to ensure they add accurate labels and color-codes
● As students finish, they may draw their own diagram of the ear on the back of their
worksheet
20 minutes
● Clean up materials and reconvene students
● Conclude lesson
Tomorrow we’re going to look at the parts of the ear again. We’re also going
to look at your hearing and talk specifically about your ears and your
hearing. On Friday you are going to work on a special project that will
include all the things we talked about today as well as what we talk about
tomorrow.
5 minutes
Assessment: Students will be informally observed through observation.
Description of how sound is received by the ear (informal, curriculum-based, subjective,
performance-based, anecdotal)
Expansion: If students are beyond the anticipated level, the lesson can be expanded to
discuss possible sights of damage within the ear and how damage to parts of the ear affect
hearing. If students are behind, the lesson can be simplified describing how the ear receives
sound waves in terms of the 3 major sections of the ear—outer, middle and inner.