Waves & How They Move
Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength, and understand that waves can cause objects to move
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Waves & How They Move means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.”
Bring to the table
- A torch or phone light and a blank wall OR a rubber band / ruler for sound
- Paper for notes
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Move the torch closer: the shadow gets bigger. Distance caused the change.
Optional challenge. For Waves & How They Move, add one harder example after success.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: examples tried; results; support used. This session samples Waves & How They Move, not mastery.
Share and support
Compare teaching approaches
Teaching approaches
Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.
1 approach
Waves & How They Move means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: A torch or phone light and a blank wall OR a rubber band / ruler for sound; Paper for notes. 1. Say the goal of Waves & How They Move in plain words once. 2. Adult makes one light or sound change (shadow size, or pitch by tightening) and names what changed. 3. Child makes three controlled changes and records what they see or hear. 4. Fresh check: one fresh cause-and-effect observation. Record and stop. Done: three recorded light/sound changes with a cause each. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceWaves & How They Move practice
Practice key ideas from Waves & How They Move.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Wave on a String
Before you open · source notes
Wave on a String supports hands-on exploration for Waves & How They Move. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Wave on a String.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
- Describe a wave using the terms amplitude (height) and wavelength (distance between peaks)
- Demonstrate that larger amplitude means more energy (bigger waves move objects more)
- Model wave patterns using a slinky, rope, or water and describe what they observe
“Can your child use a slinky or rope to show how waves work, and explain that bigger waves have more energy and can move things more?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 9–10
Standards