Know – Understand – Do Organizer
8th Grade
Name:
Team: 8th Grade
Course/Subject: Physical Science
Topic: Waves
3rd nine weeks
Date:
School/District: Glynn County
Which Standards are students learning in this unit?
S8P4a: Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
S8P4d: Describe how the behavior of waves is affected by medium (such as air, water, solids).
S8P4f: Diagram the parts of the wave and explain how the parts are affected by changes in amplitude and pitch.
________________________________________________________________________________
By the end of this unit, students will be able to ……..


Know
Mechanical waves require
a medium because they
are compressional,
electromagnetic waves do
not require a medium.
All compressional waves
are mechanical; all
transverse waves are not
necessarily
electromagnetic.
Understand
Students will understand
that waves transfer energy;
that energy is dependent
on wave type, wave parts,
and interactions with the
wave medium.
Do
Compare and contrast mechanical and electromagnetic waves in
a Venn Diagram.
Compare and contrast mechanical/electromagnetic waves and
longitudinal/transverse waves in a bubble map.
Describe how medium affects wave interactions through a point
of view essay from the standpoint of a particle in the wave.
Draw examples of reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
Diagram the parts of a transverse and longitudinal wave, and
Know – Understand – Do Organizer

Waves will change
direction when passing
from one medium to
another because of
differences in density.
define each term.
Conduct Virtual Labs using Holt text CD to manipulate waves and
observe and measure interaction.
Read and follow lab procedures. (L6-8RST3)
Vocabulary
 Waves
 amplitude
 electromagnetic wave
 mechanical wave
 transverse wave
 longitudinal wave
 medium
 frequency
 wavelength
 period
 amplitude
 crest
 trough
 rarefaction
 compression
 destructive interference
 constructive interference
 absorption
 reflection
 diffraction
 refraction
Write Lab Report for each lab on waves. (L6-WHST2d, e,f)
Read Coach Lessons and answer questions for comprehension.
Compare and contrast information learned from text and video
format. (L6-WHST4) (L6-WHST1b,)
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ASSESSMENTS:
 Create a poster or foldable showing wave interactions with different media and illustrate and explain reflection, refraction,
diffractions, and absorption
 Vocabulary Quiz - Waves
 Formative Quiz - One for each concepts
 Waves Summative Assessment – Unit Test – multiple choice, short answer, diagrams
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
 CPO Physical Science Textbook - Chapter 9 Waves and Sound
 Holt Science Supplements - Chapter 20 Energy of Waves
 Coach Lessons
8th grade COMMON CORE Reading, Writing and Content Correlation
Activity
Reading Standard
Writing Standard
Vocabulary
Acquisition
L6-8RST4: Determine the
meaning of symbols, key
terms, and other domainspecific words and
phrases as they are used
in a specific scientific or
technical context relevant
to grades 6–8 texts and
topics.
L6-8WHST4: Produce clear and coherent writing
in which the development, organization, and
style are appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience.
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L6-8RST10: By the end of
grade 8, read and
comprehend
science/technical texts in
the grades 6–8 text
complexity band
independently and
proficiently.
L6-8RST9: Compare and
contrast the information
gained from experiments,
simulations, video or
multimedia sources with
that gained from reading a
text on the same topic.
Labs: following
instructions
and writing lab
reports
L6-8RST3: Follow precisely
a multistep procedure
when carrying out
experiments, taking
measurements, or
performing technical
L6-8WHST2: Write informative/explanatory
texts, including the narration of historical
events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or
technical processes.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is
to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and
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tasks.
L6-8RST10: By the end of
grade 8, read and
comprehend
science/technical texts in
the grades 6–8 text
complexity band
independently and
proficiently.
information into broader categories as
appropriate to achieving purpose; include
formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g.,
charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific
vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style and
objective tone.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the information
or explanation presented.
L6-8WHST4: Produce clear and coherent writing
in which the development, organization, and
style are appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience.
L6-8WHST5: With some guidance and support
from peers and adults, develop and strengthen
writing as needed by planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on
how well purpose and audience have been
Know – Understand – Do Organizer
addressed.
Answering
Essential and
Key Questions,
Summarizers
using notes,
text and
student
learning maps
L6-8RST1: Cite specific
textual evidence to
support analysis of science
and technical texts.
L6-8RST2: Determine the
central ideas or
conclusions of a text;
provide an accurate
summary of the text
distinct from prior
knowledge or opinions.
L6-8RST7: Integrate
quantitative or technical
information expressed in
words in a text with a
version of that
information expressed
visually (e.g., in a
flowchart, diagram,
L6-8WHST10: Write routinely over extended
time frames (time for reflection and revision)
and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a
day or two) for a range of discipline-specific
tasks, purposes, and audiences.
L6-8WHST1: Write arguments focused on
discipline-specific content
b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and
relevant, accurate data and evidence that
demonstrate an understanding of the topic or
text, using credible sources.
c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create
cohesion and clarify the relationships among
claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
d. Establish and maintain a formal style.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the argument
presented.
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model, graph, or table).
L6-8RST10: By the end of
grade 8, read and
comprehend
science/technical texts in
the grades 6–8 text
complexity band
independently and
proficiently.
Videos and
L6-8RST9: Compare and
Demonstrations contrast the information
gained from experiments,
simulations, video or
multimedia sources with
that gained from reading a
text on the same topic.
L6-8RST4: Determine the
meaning of symbols, key
terms, and other domainspecific words and
L6-8WHST4: Produce clear and coherent writing
in which the development, organization, and
style are appropriate to task, purpose, and
audience.
L6-8WHST5: With some guidance and support
from peers and adults, develop and strengthen
writing as needed by planning, revising, editing,
rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on
how well purpose and audience have been
addressed.
L6-8WHST1: Write arguments focused on
discipline-specific content.
a. Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue,
acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from
alternate or opposing claims, and organize the
reasons and evidence logically.
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phrases as they are used
in a specific scientific or
technical context relevant
to grades 6–8 texts and
topics.