Properties of Waves Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of the properties of waves. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Properties of Waves 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Properties of Waves Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.


After completing the Properties of Waves 5E Lesson, students will be able to describe the properties of waves, the three main types of mechanical waves, and how energy and matter interact when waves are created. 

Distance-Learning Ready

The Properties of Waves Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will construct a simple model of a transverse wave.

The Properties of Waves Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

Distance-Learning Ready

Sub Plans

The Properties of Waves Sub Plan is a complete lesson that takes students through a warm-up, reading passage, independent activity, extension activities, and an assessment.

The worksheets are designed to make your sub day a breeze for you, your students, and the substitute teacher. They are also perfect for distance learning.

Distance-Learning Ready

Properties of Waves Classroom Experiences

Create a powerful student experience to help solidify students' understanding about the properties of waves. The following experience is also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Properties of Waves Escape Room is an immersive experience for you students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of light and sound waves in a fun and engaging way.

Students must use what they have learned to identify the properties of a wave. They will also need to know the following vocabulary before playing the game: transparent, translucent, opaque, transverse waves, longitudinal waves, light waves, and sound waves to complete the escape room.

Distance-Learning Ready

Year-Round Resources






Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the properties of waves unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • How do matter and energy interact when waves are generated?
  • What are the two main types of mechanical waves?
  • What are the properties of waves?
  • MS PS4-1 - Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave
  • MS PS4-2 - Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials
  • TEKS Science 8.8 C - Identify how different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum such as visible light and radio waves are used to gain information about components in the universe

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