Teaching Strategies, Ideas, Resources
Waves and Sound
Teaching Strategies
Think Pair Share:
Students will think to themselves for 30 seconds - 1 minute. They will then have the opportunity to discuss with a partner for about 2 minutes. Then thoughts are shared with the larger group. This instructional strategy can be used to foster group discussion.
Jigsaw:
Have students start in numbered groups. Each group will become experts on one topic, then bring their knowledge to a new group consisting of one expert from each group.
Simulations:
Simulations have been found to promote computational thinking skills that are highly connected with mathematical skills (Sneider et al., 2014). Simulations work best when students have the opportunity to alter parameters and observe the results (Sneider et al., 2014). They will have the most benefit if students are allowed to explore after experiencing the physical concept (Sneider et al., 2014). Two lessons in this unit contain the use of simulations that are used after a brief introduction to the topic.
Ideas and Resources
Beat Frequency:
This website contains a gizmo that allows for the manipulation of two different frequencies. It effectively illustrates the principle of beat frequency for students showing both sine waves, their interference, and the resulting sound. (Academo, 2016).
Waves on a String PHET Simulation:
This simulation can be used with students to investigate properties of waves. An example of how to incorporate this simulation into a lesson plan and the accompanying handout can be found in the "Lessons" section of the Waves and Sound unit. Additional teacher resources are also listed on the PHET website below the simulation. (Waves on a String, 2018).
Resonance Hook:
As an introductory hook to resonance, and if you are feeling brave, have your students complete this activity with straws to create resonance. Students love making noise, and this activity provides them with an opportunity to have fun while learning. Have them experiment by cutting the straw to different lengths and observing what happens.
Other Interesting Videos:
Videos are a great way to pique student interest as long as they are engaging and relatively short.
This video by MIT shows the effects of resonance on a wine glass.
Earthquakes are one way to place the curriculum content to the into a societal context, as they have real-life applications for the content that students are learning in class.
Both videos provide information on breaking the sound barrier in an engaging way. The TedEd one is more student friendly and the sciBRIGHT video provides a more indepth scientific explantion.