In order to understand how sound works and how we hear it, it's important for students to understand the different parts of the human ear. In this activity, students will label a diagram of the ear. Students should include the function of each part in their diagram. This activity can be made easier by getting students to label the ear with a given list of keywords like the ones highlighted in bold below.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Label a diagram of the structure of the human ear.
Engage students by creating a simple ear model using everyday materials. This visual aid helps students see and touch each ear part, reinforcing their understanding of the ear’s structure and function.
Use items like plastic cups (pinna), paper tubes (ear canal), plastic wrap (eardrum), and small beads or buttons (ossicles) to represent each ear part. Everyday objects make the model accessible and relatable.
Instruct students to attach the cup to the tube, stretch plastic wrap over one end, and connect small objects behind it. Explain the role of each part as students build, encouraging hands-on learning.
Tap or speak softly into the model’s ‘pinna’ and have students observe how vibrations move through each section. This interactive step helps clarify how sound travels in the human ear.
Ask students to describe what happened in the demonstration and connect each part’s role to hearing. Encourage questions and student-led explanations for deeper understanding.
The main parts of the human ear are the pinna (collects sound), ear canal (funnels sound to the eardrum), eardrum (vibrates with sound), auditory ossicles (amplify and transfer vibrations), cochlea (converts vibrations to electrical signals), and auditory nerve (carries signals to the brain).
To label the ear, identify each part—pinna, ear canal, eardrum, auditory ossicles, cochlea, and auditory nerve—on the diagram and use arrows or text boxes to name them. Add a brief note about each part’s function for clarity.
The auditory ossicles (hammer, anvil, stirrup) are tiny bones that amplify sound vibrations from the eardrum and transmit them to the cochlea, playing a crucial role in the hearing process.
Understanding the structure of the ear helps students grasp how sound travels and is processed, laying the foundation for lessons on sound waves, hearing health, and the science of acoustics.
Provide a list of key terms, use clear diagrams, encourage labeling with arrows, and allow students to add short notes about each part’s function to support understanding and retention.