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This Wave Watching lesson plan also includes:
Seismologists use the direction and arrival times of p waves and s waves to determine the distance to the source of an earthquake. The engaging lesson has students line up to form human waves. Through different movements when attached, like a solid, and unattached, like a liquid, they form an understanding of p waves and s waves—both on ground and underwater. The eighth lesson in the 20-part series connects earthquakes to seismic waves.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Discuss if the wave formation would be different if the triggering earthquake happened underwater or on shore near water
Classroom Considerations
- Lesson may take just over an hour and a half if a brisk pace is not maintained
- Requires one Slinky for every four students
Pros
- Ideal for both kinetic and visual learners
- Provides a link to a PowerPoint animation on the types of waves
Cons
- None