Teacher Resources for Instructional Planning


Grade 8, Science Std 12.0: Classify waves as mechanical or electromagnetic. • Identifying the components of a wave. • Defining frequency, reflection and refraction. • Comparing and contrasting transverse and longitudinal waves. • Describing how waves travel through different media. • Relating wavelength, frequency, and amplitude to energy.

Lesson Plans: The Halls Are Alive With the Sound of Music In this lesson, students examine the relationship between the physics of sound and concert hall acoustics. Students perform a lab experiment in which they determine the speed of sound, a key variable in concert hall acoustics. Making Light of Science Students will be introduced to the idea that all light travels as waves, and that wavelength defines the various regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Waves Students will be able to state the properties that a medium must possess in order that waves may be transmitted through it. Students will be able to tell the essential difference between a longitudinal and a transverse wave. Wave Motion Identify and explain the difference between a transverse and longitudinal wave. Understanding Waves Students will gain an understanding of the properties that all waves have in common. The Phenomenon of Sound Students observe a variety of sound waves in lab stations and record their observations in a wave booklet. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Understand that the sun’s energy is transferred to Earth by electromagnetic waves. Transverse Wave Demonstrator Students construct an inexpensive device to demonstrate transverse waves. From Vibration To Sound To distinguish between a transverse wave and a compressional wave. Wave Properties In this lesson, students will learn the components of a wave, then discuss the effects of wave height, wavelength, and wave period in determining the overall size of a wave. Sound After this lesson, the student should be able to relate the pitch of sound to the length of a vibrating object. Ultrasound: How Does it Work? The second module shows how waves get reflected as they travel through objects. Nature of Light The main objectives of this mini-teach is for primary students to understand the Nature of Light. This will be accomplished by examples and demonstrations.

Resources: Interactive Activities Gizmos for demonstrating interactions of waves Surf's Up! The power of ocean waves is described Power of Light National Geographic multimedia presentation
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