Oceanography worksheets and teaching resources teachervision. Interesting facts and fun activities related to aquatic animals will extend students knowledge. North atlantic equatorial current ocean current running westward from north africa to the caribbean sea. Where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large masses of water over considerable distances across ocean surfaces. The deep waters of the oceans come from the surface water cooled in the polar region. Winds, water density, and tides all drive ocean currents. One of the things many people love about the ocean is the waves.
The full version of ocean fish count 120 count and clip cards provides a fine motor numbe. Lets make waves activity students simulate ocean waves in a pan. Wind and ocean currents are examples ofconduction currents. Displaying top 8 worksheets found for ocean currents. Display the ocean conveyor belt cartoon from the resource carousel. As they lose heat, the surface waters become more dense, and they may become so dense during winter that the water sinks to the. Ocean currents ocean waters are constantly being pushed around the earth by currents. Ocean currents houston independent school district. Point out that ocean currents are driven by the wind and influenced by the landmasses that obstruct the flow of water as well as the density and temperature of the water.
Sprinkle a teaspoon of herb oregano or chili powder over the surface. Objectives students will watch an internet video on ocean currents and. Ocean currents, ocean floor, ocean in a bottle craft, and ocean lapbook map the ocean floor, identifying the major mountain ranges and rifts, learn about ocean currents and color a map of the prevailing currents on earth, make an ocean in a bottle craft and then round it out with an ocean lapbook. This is a crossover science activity oceanography geography graphing. In the activity, students play a game focused on the primary surface current names and locations. Earths rotation results in the coriolis effect which also influences ocean currents. We will show a video clip showing sea level height and describe its connection to ocean circulation. Winds are able to move the top 400 meters of the ocean creating surface ocean currents. Use your map with the labeled currents of the world to sail around the world.
Surface currents carry warm or cold water horizontally across the ocean s surface. An ocean current is a large volume of water flowing in a certain direction. Energy in the earth system ocean currents learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. But the melt water is also colder, which makes it sink. An explanation of why convection currents occur can be found in the activity. Students learn about ocean surface currents through a story and handson exploration. It gives information related to different types of ocean current in detail and causes of ocean currents.
Coastal and sea floor features influence their location, direction, and speed. Exploring the natural world underwater and on the beach can be fun and exciting. Ocean in motion activity students test how salinity, wind, and temperature affect ocean currents. Ocean current worksheet temperature affects and surface. Students complete a worksheet and two online activities related to ocean currents. Energy is usually transferred in fluids by radiation. The ocean conveyor belt is caused by differences in water temperature and salinity. Also learn about climates, seas, and the coriolis effect. Includes printables on habitats and how animals use camouflage, a shark matching activity, and writing about the overharvesting of. The full version of ocean fish count to 20 count and clip set contains 20 task cards. The tidal current floods and then ebbs with slack waters in between. Additionally, if you would like all of the resources together in a pdf document, that can be accessed as a complete resource here.
Finally, we will look at different ways in which we can measure ocean currents. The salt from the ice mixes into the water below, making it even saltier. Features of the ocean floor a worksheet that depicts the features of the ocean floor. In this ocean current lesson, 6th graders complete an experiment with two bottles of water and an index card to discover information about the ocean current. Were compiling lessons on ocean acidification and currents to share here. Students plot the path of 2 current buoys to determine the location of a lost ship crew in the indian ocean. Oceans lose heat off greenland and in the weddell sea. This warm, low pressure water rises toward the poles in surface currents as the earth tries to move the heat around and balance things out. Reinforcement ocean currents free pdf file sharing. All ocean currents are caused by either wind patterns or by differences in water densities. Students will watch a video lesson, complete handson learning. When the salt free ice melts the next summer, the melted fresh water tends to make the nearby upper ocean less salty.
Cool, more dense water from the poles moves in deep ocean currents toward the equator and a convective movement is created. Surface waters of the earths oceans are forced to move, primarily by winds. Activities, worksheets, printables, and lesson plans. Oceans are a natural resource for salt and the fish and other sea animals we eat. Surface currents are mostly caused by the w ind because it creates friction as it moves over the water. In this ocean current lesson plan, 6th graders complete an experiment with two bottles of water and an index card to discover information about the ocean current. Both are in constant motion, driven by the energy of the sun and the gravity of the earth. Currents overview lesson 8 presents the mechanisms that drive surface and deep ocean currents. All this heating and cooling and melting and thawing creates big ocean currents. It is best seen at an inlet connecting the ocean with a barrier sound. At any particular location, the high and low tides. Ocean currents ocean water moves on and below the surface in streams known as currents. Review the full course description and key learning outcomes and create an account and enrol if you want a free statement of participation. Grades 48 learning goals students will understand the location of the major surface currents of the oceans, how surface currents affect nearby landmasses, the relationship between temperature of water and density.
Oceans activities, worksheets, printables, and lesson plans. Mapping ocean currents national geographic society. Below the surface the water moves in great currents. Surface currents extend to about 400 m below the surface, and they move as fast as 100 kmday. It also provides basic information about ocean currents,wave and tides. Each lesson contains at least one handson activity with instructions or a worksheet for the students. Ocean motions, part 2 currents and upwelling grades 46 preserving the shining sea from ocean pollution grades 46. This list of over 40 ocean themed activities will engage your preschoolers in lots of learning and discovery ocean theme activities. This unit consists of 5 lessons focused on ocean currents and physical oceanography. Some of the currents are on the surface of the ocean while others are deeper beneath the surface. Where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large masses of water over considerable distances across ocean. See more ideas about ocean current, ocean acidification and ocean. A powerpoint with lecture content and activity guidance for the teacher is also provided along with a 5e chart.
Ocean currents rescue lab activity this is a fun little latitudelongitude ocean current activity. People love to play in the waves, surf the waves, and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Dissolve the salt in one of the jars and add blue food coloring. Oceans sort students cut of the ocean vocabulary words and sort the matches. Motion in the ocean lesson plan ocean currents oceanservice. Pictures and diagrams are included that will greatly enhance your explanation to your students. On the surface we see water moving in the form of waves. A current is a stream of water that flows through the ocean like a river. Ocean currents lesson plans and lesson ideas brainpop. With this sampler you will receive four 4 count and clip task cards. Oceans are a broad topic covering physical, earth and space, and life science concepts. Explain to students that this is a depiction of ocean currents called the ocean conveyor belt.
Similar to a person trying to walk in a straight line across a spinning merrygoround, winds and ocean waters get deflected from a straight line path as they travel. Teach your students about ocean currents, the different types of ocean currents, and their characteristics with this lesson plan. Fill a tin pie plate to the inner rim with cold tap water. Ocean tides, trenches, mid ocean ridges, seamounts, the flat abyssal plains, the continental shelf. Finally, students may need their earth science reference tables esrt for parts of the lesson a document used widely in the new york state earth science regents course as. The process of global ocean circulation is presented, emphasizing the importance of this process for climate regulation. Also known as thermohaline circulation, the conveyor belt is a. Sixth graders experiment to understand the ocean s currents. Ocean currents summary students will learn what causes ocean currents and how they play a role in distributing marine debris and pollution around the world. New hanover county schools administers all stateoperated educational programs, employment activities, and admissions without discrimination because of disability, race, religion, national, or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, or gender except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. In this educational resource page you will find lesson plans and teaching tips about science learn about the pacific, atlantic, and arctic oceans.