Lesson Plan - Turn It Down!

Learning Objective

Students will learn how the use of earbuds and headphones may contribute to hearing loss.

Content-Area Connections

Health

Standards Correlations

CCSS: RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RI.4.4, RI.4.5, RI.4.8, RI.4.10

NCSS: Science, Technology, and Society

TEKS: Health 4.10

Text Structure

Cause and Effect

1. Preparing to Read

Watch a Video
Watch the video “Music to Your Ears” to explore how human hearing works. Ask: What are some important parts of the human ear? How do these parts and the brain work together to help a person distinguish different sounds?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

  • exposed 
  • prolonged


Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how they can make sure the volume on their headphones or earbuds is at a safe level.

2. Close-Reading Questions

1. What does the article describe as a myth about hearing loss?
The article explains that the idea that only older people experience hearing loss is a myth. The truth is that “more than 1 billion teens and young adults worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss.”
(RI.4.1 Text Evidence)

2. Why do doctors say it is important to find the right fit for headphones or earbuds? 
Doctors say it is important to find the right fit for headphones and earbuds because it can help prevent hearing damage. The article notes that “earbuds and headphones that fit snugly will limit outside noise. That will allow you to hear your music better at lower volumes.”
(RI.4.5 Cause and Effect)

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “Sound Check”?
The purpose of the sidebar, “Sound Check,” is to spotlight the decibel levels of some common sounds, like a nearby siren and a football game at a stadium.
(RI.4.7 Text Features)

3. Skill Building

FEATURED SKILL: Informative Writing
Use the skill builder “Shout Out the Facts!” to have students write public service announcements sharing what they have learned. Encourage students to share their work with friends and family.
(W.4.2 Informative Writing)

Text-to-Speech