Descriptions of sound in the textbooks of living environment studies in elementary schools and the development of a life and sound activity programs

Abstract

In Japan, children learn about the subject Living Environment Studies in the first and second grades at elementary school. Eight companies published the 2015-approved elementary school Living Environment Studies textbooks. In this study, we investigated and analyzed the references to sound in all the Living Environment Studies textbooks and the development of life and sound activity programs. Textbooks were found to include contents relating to nature sounds (e.g., sounds made by insects and the sound of rain); musical sounds; sounds of life (e.g., sound of toys); and sound of voices (e.g., loud screams or shrieks in response to danger seeking help), etc. We developed two activity programs, a quiz on sounds and a competition for loud voices. The purpose of these programs was to learn about enjoying “sound” and understand its role in life. These activity programs conducted in Clubs for After School Activities for Children at F city. A questionnaire survey was conducted after two activity programs. Eight children answered that the quiz on sounds was fun and nine children answered that the loud voice competition was fun (N = 14). Further investigation and improvements are required.