Properties of Waves Lesson Plan - A Complete Science Lesson Using the 5E Method of Instruction

By the end of this lesson about the properties of waves, students will be able to describe how matter and energy interact when waves are generated, distinguish between the three main types of mechanical waves, and identify the properties of waves. Each of our lessons is designed using the 5E method of instruction to ensure maximum comprehension by the students. This well-thought out unit does the heavy lifting, giving teachers easy-to-implement, highly engaging lesson plans.

This blog will walk you through each of the steps and activities from the properties of Properties of Waves 5E Lesson Plan.

ENGAGEMENT

Objective Introduction

At the beginning of the lesson, the class will do a Think-Pair-Share to discuss the objective.

Class Activity

1. Tell the students about how they'll be studying waves over the next few days. Ask the students if they can describe things that make waves like musical instruments, wind, sounds in general, earthquakes, and so on.
2. Ask students to watch the video using the provided link.

Student Activity

1. Have students working in groups of two to draw a wave (either longitudinal or transverse).
2. Choose one or two groups to show the class their drawing. Ask the class to try to name the type of wave that they drew.
3. Ask the students to label the wavelength in their drawing.
4. Have students discuss frequency with their partner and write a definition for wave frequency.
5. Ask students to write a statement about the relationship between frequency and wavelength, such as "As frequency increases, wavelength decreases".
6. Ask students if it is the energy or the matter in a wave that moves.
7. What are some examples of both types of waves?
8. Ask students to explain why they think the bridge broke apart.

Afterwards, the teacher will help to clear any misconceptions their students may have about properties of waves. A common but major misconception, for example, is that students don't realize that it's energy, not matter, that moves as a wave travels through a medium.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION

This student-centered station lab is set up so students can begin to explore the properties of waves. With nine stations in total, you can introduce a wave's properties to your middle school students in a variety of ways! Four of these stations are considered input stations where students will learn new information about wave properties, and four of the stations are output stations where students will be demonstrating their mastery of the lesson's material. A bonus station offers challenges for your early finishers and independent learners. You can read more about how I set up the station labs here.

Watch It!

At this station, students will be watching a short video explaining wave properties. Students will then answer questions related to the video and record their answers on their lab station sheet. For example: What is the difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave? List examples of each. Explain the oscillations, or motion, of both types of waves. What do these symbols represent, as a unit of measurement for waves?

Read It!

This station will provide students with a one-page reading about properties of waves. There are four follow-up questions that the students will answer to demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material.

Explore It!

Students will be working in pairs to better understand properties of waves. In this station, students interact with slinkies to create waves. Students will follow the steps and record their observations on their lab sheet.

Research It!

The research station will allow students to explore an interactive web page that helps them to understand properties of waves. Students will be instructed to complete a few tasks and record answers on their lab sheets.

Organize It!

Students at this station will match three different wave cards with the correct label. They'll also label each part of each of the waves. Once students have completed their organization, the teacher will check their work and help them understand anything they don't.

Illustrate It!

Your visual students will love this station. Students are to draw a picture that demonstrates their knowledge of waves. Students will draw a wave and label it with amplitude, crest, trough, wavelength, compression, rarefaction.

Write It!

Students who can answer open-ended questions about the lab truly understand the concepts that are being taught. At this station, the students will be answering three task cards: Explain the difference between low and high-frequency waves. How do you measure the wavelength of a wave? What is the main difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Assess It!

The Assess It station is where students will go to prove mastery over the concepts they learned in the lab. The questions are set up in a standardized format with multiple choice answers. Some questions include: Which letter best represents the wavelength? Which letter best represents the amplitude? What is the wavelength's measurement? Which is not true about waves?

Challenge It! - Bonus Station

Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Four activity choices offer them ways to expand their learning through mini-games and mini-projects.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: One or two 45-minute class periods

EXPLANATION

The explanation activities will become much more engaging for your class once they’ve completed the exploration station lab. During the explanation piece of the lesson, the teacher will be clearing up any misconceptions their students may have about the properties of waves with a variety of materials. These materials include on-level and modified versions of the interactive presentation (may be used individually or projected), anchor charts, and paper or digital interactive notebook activities. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

Interactive notebook samples: Above-left is a digital INB activity slide; above-right is an example of the paper INB activities.

The students will also be interacting with their journals while taking notes from the PowerPoint. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: Two or three 45-minute class periods

ELABORATION

The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction gives students choices that allow them to prove they’ve mastered the concepts behind the lesson. When students are given a choice, they’re much more enthusiastic and invested in the project than they are when their teachers choose their projects for them. There are a total of nine choices to demonstrate understanding of a wave's properties. A separate set of choices that offer more teacher support are also available for students that need them. Rubrics guide students to doing their best work and assist in grading.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: Two or three 45-minute class periods (can also be used as an at-home project)

EVALUATION

The final piece of the 5E model is to evaluate your students' comprehension. Included in every 5E lesson is a homework assignment, assessment, and modified assessment. Research has shown that homework needs to be meaningful and applicable to real-world activities in order to be effective. When possible, I like to give open-ended assessments to truly gauge the student’s comprehension.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: One 45-minute class period

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