Energy of Waves - Context Clues Activity

Before students can explain how waves transfer energy, they need the words. This one-page activity introduces four key terms - wave, transverse, longitudinal, and amplitude - through quick, concrete sentences (ripples, a shaken rope, a slinky, a tall wave). Students read each sentence, use the clues around the underlined word, and circle the best meaning. Print it as a bell-ringer, morning work, or a sub-plan slot.

What's Included

• 1 student page: 4 illustrated context-clue cards, each with three answer choices
• 1 teacher key page with the correct meaning for every term
• Letter-size PDF, no prep

How It Helps You Teach

• Front-loads the exact vocabulary students need for a TEKS 6.8C unit
• The distractors do the teaching - they cross-confuse transverse and longitudinal, and amplitude and wavelength
• Sets up the reading, the sort, and the inferences that follow

Pair It With

Part of an Energy of Waves set: Context Clues, Inferences, Science in the News, the Transverse or Longitudinal? sort, and a Reading in Science. Check out our library for the rest.

Perfect for 6th grade physical science, science vocabulary and literacy practice, a bell-ringer or warm-up, and TEKS 6.8C review. Topics include: wave, transverse, longitudinal, and amplitude.

Standards: TEKS 6.8C; NGSS DCI PS4.A; CCSS RI.6.4. Part of the Daily Science series by Workybooks.