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Grade 4 Science Units

Unit Plan 10 (Grade 4 Science): Wave Patterns

Grade 4 unit modeling waves using amplitude and wavelength—students compare wave patterns with hands-on models, measurements, and labeled diagrams.

Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

• 9 min read
Unit Plan 10 (Grade 4 Science): Wave Patterns

Focus: Model waves using amplitude and wavelength to describe and compare patterns.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Science (Physical Science — Waves & Energy)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore waves as repeating patterns that move through water, strings, and air. Using hands-on activities (rope, slinky, water tray) and simple diagrams, they learn to identify crests, troughs, amplitude, and wavelength. Students then model how changing amplitude or wavelength changes the shape of a wave pattern and practice describing waves using words, sketches, and simple measurements.

Essential Questions

  • What is a wave, and how can we recognize wave patterns in water, rope, and sound?
  • How do amplitude and wavelength describe the shape of a wave?
  • How can drawings, physical models, and graphs help us compare and communicate about different waves?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

  1. Describe a wave as a repeating pattern of motion with high points (crests) and low points (troughs).
  2. Use rope, slinky, or water models to show and label amplitude and wavelength.
  3. Compare waves with different amplitudes and wavelengths and explain how they look different.
  4. Create 2–3 representations of the same wave (e.g., photo/sketch, diagram with labels, simple graph or strip of measurements).
  5. Work with a partner group to produce a Wave Pattern Model Page that clearly shows and explains at least two different wave patterns.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

  • 4-PS4-1 — Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength.

Success Criteria — Student-Friendly Language

  • I can point to and name parts of a wave: crest, trough, amplitude, wavelength.
  • I can show a wave with my hands or materials and explain how I made the amplitude or wavelength bigger or smaller.
  • I can draw and label wave patterns so someone else can understand the differences.
  • I can work with my group to create a clear model and explanation comparing at least two different wave patterns.