Waves and Tides
Waves and tides are connected in that tides are a form of wave. However, tides is a complicated topic that deserves its own lesson. Therefore, waves and tides will be tackled as a two-day (An hour per day) lesson plan. This slideshow will serve as the outline for this lesson. We will begin by assessing student knowledge. Then, we will move into learning about the structure of waves. Students will fill out a phases of the moon worksheet during the lecture. The next day, we will read, annotate, and discuss a passage. We will do a lab where students will simulate waves. (Last 4 slides) We will finish by watching a tsunami documentary about the 3/11 Japan tsunami.
Below is the paper students will annotate.
Below is the moon phases worksheet.
For the lab, I will provide students with a bin, water, portioned sand, and rocks of various sizes. Students will follow the instructions on the lesson and simulate winds and waves. Students will get to see in real time how waves are affected by different strengths of wind, different obstacles like rocks or shoreline, and how water reacts to a dramatic event like a tsunami.
This short documentary details the experience of Japanese citizens during the devastating tsunami of 3/11.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn why and how waves are formed. They will learn how the moon influences tides and its different tidal phases. Students will also learn how energy is transferred during waves and tsunamis.