Introduction to Waves

Grade Level:

Pre-K­Grade 2

Grades 3­5

Grades 6­8

Grades 9­Adult

Subject Area:

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Language Arts

Physical Education

Health Education

Foreign Language

Visual and Performing Arts

Describe the rationale of this lesson:

This lesson is part of a high school academic physics course for juniors and seniors. It is a prescribed unit of instruction established by the school district and is an integral part of the textbook that the course is taught from.

Describe the learning goals/outcomes of this lesson:

Students will be able to give a definition to waves, describe types of waves, classify waves, determine the speed of a wave, describe wave terminology, measure waves, and calculate wave functions. Students will be able to qualitatively and quantitatively describe any given basic wave form.

Describe the set/springboard for this lesson:

This lesson is primarily presented as a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying demonstrations. It is a typical lesson that introduces a new topic in this subject area.

Enter the topic outline for this lesson:

1. Definition of waves 2. Types of waves 3. Classifying waves 4. Speed of waves 5. Wave terminology 6. Measuring waves 7. Calculating wave functions

Describe the teacher activities required for this lesson:

The teacher will have to set up the powerpoint presentation on a computer that is hooked up to a large television set or LCD projection device. There are many demonstrations that accompany the lesson including: transverse and longitudinal wave demonstration on a slinky, and standing waves on a string (commercial wave generator). A chalkboard demonstration of some wave function calculations will also be performed.

Describe student participation this lesson:

Students are required to actively participate in the lesson through questions in judging prior student knowledge. Students will also be asked to predict points along a line of discussion. Some students will be asked to assist in demonstrations as well.

Offer higher-level/critical thinking questions for this lesson:

Critical problems regarding this topic come up later in its treatment. This initial lesson is an introductory lesson to a more difficult treatments of this topic. One higher level thinking issue comes during the discussion of the "universal speed limit" of the speed of light and its effects as a relic of calculations related to the general and special relativities proposed by Einstein. This issue is resurfacing from an earlier discussion in the course with gravity.

Write a closure narrative for this lesson:

This discussion of waves should be a review of the coverage of wave theory in earlier courses. Some students may be learning this material for the first time while others may see it from a different perspective.

Describe the materials/resources required for this lesson:

Student handout copies of the presentation. Chapter vocabulary handout. Computer with PowerPoint presentation loaded on it. LCD projector and screen or large screen television with signal converter. Slinky brand helical springs of different length. Standing wave generator demonstration apparatus. Student calculators.

Describe the evaluation/assessment methods used with this lesson:

This material will be presented on a test at the end of the unit. Immediate assessment will take place the next day upon checking the assigned homework with basic wave problems.

Lawrence J. Flint
Teaching and Learning in an Information Age
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
April 9, 19100