Waves and their Applications in Technology

This lesson/lab allows the students to explore light and sound waves through media, articles, and classroom lab. The students will research, test, and draw conclusions about their findings. 

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Essential Question

How do sound waves make a radio and other things work?

Grade(s):

  • 6

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Chromebooks, internet access, lab materials

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

  • Mirrors
  • Flashlight
  • Black paper
  • White paper
  • Thermometer
  • Clear plastic
  • Frosted plastic
  • Opaque materials (e.g., cardboard)
  • Glass of water
  • Pencil or straw
  • Hard surface (e.g., whiteboard or wall)
  • Noise-maker (e.g., clap or small speaker)
  • Soft materials (e.g., pillow, foam, carpet)
  • Noise-maker (e.g., clap or speaker)
  • Thin wall, door, or cardboard
  • Noise-maker (speaker, bell)
  • Water, air, a plastic or metal container
  • Small speaker

 

Lesson Progression

Cadence Jowers cadencejowers@anderson5.net

Anderson 5 School District

Effectively Using Media in th Classroom, Part1

Spring ll Session  2025

 

Title:  Waves and Their Applications in Technology for Information Transfer 

Title of video program:  Empire of the Air from PBS Ken Burns collection.

Standard:

6-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe how waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

 

Time: 70 minutes

5 mins   Bell Ringer:  Watch (posted in their Google Classroom) video clip Empire of the Air from PBS Ken Burns collection.

55 mins   Procedures: (I do, We do, You do together, You do alone)

EQ:  How do sound waves make radios and other things work? How are they transmitted through the airways?

 

 I do:  Explain Lab for the day. Students will use flashlights and other materials to show how light and sound refracts, reflects, or absorbs. Then answer questions as they work through each station.

 

We do:   Students will utilize stations set up around the room. They will go to the station, read directions, and complete that part of their lab and answer questions.  FLIPBOOK to complete .

 

You do: Rotate to all stations and complete questions for each station.  

 

10 mins   Assessment (Check for understanding):  Lab grade - minor

 

 

Teacher Notes

Have stations prepared and ready the day before. Double check your links to ensure students have access. I posted all of this on Google Classroom to make it even easier to access for the students. 

PBSetv Learning Media folder

Folder where my link is stored. It is through PBSetv learning site.

View Resource

View Resource

Assessments

You can take a grade on the lab if you want to. Also daily assessment would be monitoring students as they work in stations to ensure understanding. You can also modify if needed for ML students or IEP needs and take a small group around with you.