Ocean currents never change, but are persistent features of the ocean. Ocean currents are regular movements of water in one direction in the ocean. Label each of the currents on the map by writing the name next to the arrow. Give students practice reading a map with the skill challenge in this oceanography printable. Whichever way the wind blows, the current moves the same way. Their task will be to consider why studying ocean currents might be of. Tell students they will work in small groups to conduct research.
Where winds blow in the same direction for a long period of time, currents will develop that transport large masses of. In this ocean current lesson, 6th graders complete an experiment with two bottles of water and an index card to. Well, tim and moby will give you the inside scoop on all this stuffand morein this brainpop movie on ocean. The software is free to download by clicking the downloadinstall menu item from the gnome. An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of sea water generated by a number of forces acting upon the water, including wind, the coriolis effect. No means are available fox determining absolute motion, but this is of no concern, because theobserved largescale motion of the atmosphere and the sea can be adequately described by. Explore the idea of what causes ocean currents by comparing how water behaves. The deep waters of the oceans come from the surface water cooled in the polar region. Deflection off land coastal boundary currents eastern and western boundary california current and gulf stream. Search and free download all ebooks, handbook, textbook, user guide pdf files on the internet quickly and easily. The benefits of studying ocean currents national geographic. Students will evaluate truefalse statements about ocean currents and use a world map to answer questions about the gulf stream, currents, weather, and climate. L long leaves or short leaves, they all need the sun. Sixth graders experiment to understand the oceans currents.
To put together a representative report, we survey the global developer and tech communities on key issues, asking about whats important to them, their daytoday work, and their hopes for the future. All ocean currents are caused by either wind patterns or by differences in water densities. In these areas, the balance between gravity and earths spin causes geostrophic currents to flow. The process of global ocean circulation is presented, emphasizing the importance of this process for climate regulation. Currents play an important role in the earths climate system. What causes ocean currents and how do we measure them. Cylinder guides ocean currents d6 activity worksheet 1.
Western boundary currents are warm, deep, narrow, and fast flowing currents that form on the west side of ocean basins due to western intensification. Notes ocean currents free download as powerpoint presentation. See more ideas about ocean current, ocean acidification and ocean. A collection of curricula for the starlab ocean currents.
Ocean current worksheet temperature affects and surface currents. Nov 26, 20 how does movement of ocean water and ph affect marine animals. Shade in the arrows that represent the cold water currents in one color and the warmwater currents in another color. Ocean currents coloring worksheet deep and surface currents. We will show a video clip showing sea level height and describe its connection to ocean circulation. What are the different ocean currents that carry warm water give at least three examples. Divide your class into groups, and have each group prepare for the activity by mixing a couple drops of food dye into their water, filling an ice cube tray with the colored water, and freezing. P plants are green, but can be shades of purple, red, and yellow too. Oceans temperatures, currents, and effects lesson plan. Students will explain how and why ocean currents vary with increasing latitude. Surface currents affected by wind patterns, usually penetrate no deeper than 200300m world ocean currents movement of water by wind.
As with all sessions, the presentation to participants has been designed to practice what we preach. Ocean currents introduction and map activity by geo. Cold flows, such as the eastern boundary currents, bring cooler temperatures to low latitudes. The ocean in motion circulation in this program, students will learn about the driving forces responsible for ocean circulation. Warm currents have higher temperatures, so they are less dense than cold water. Usually warm water has a higher salinity, but it remains less dense than cold water, so cold water is heavier and flows under warm water. Dont forget to use a red colored pencil for the warm currents and a blue colored pencil for the cold currents.
Ocean current worksheet temperature affects and surface. Ocean currents ocean water moves on and below the surface in streams known as currents. Bowhead whales near alaska, for example are reliant on krill for food. If you like this activity, try these other fun lessons. Ocean currents, including the ocean conveyor belt, play a key role in determining how the ocean distributes heat energy throughout the planet. Ocean currents only affect things living in the ocean. Ocean currents introduction and map activity by geoearth. Have students begin watching ocean currents internet video lesson, 10 minutes. Were compiling lessons on ocean acidification and currents to share here. Covers types of currents surface and deep and the role of ocean currents and the planet. Provide a copy of the currents worksheets to each student or student group, and have students use the online currents tutorial or printed copies to answer worksheet questions. 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. And that temperature, density, and the earths rotation all play a role. Ocean activity book an interactive way for elementary students to learn about the ocean.
Seismic waves or tsunamis when seismic activity sends a wave of great wavelength which can become huge tall when it feels bottom as it arrives in shallow water. These same currents are represented by numbered arrows on the map at the end of the lesson. Give each student a blank map of earth and a detailed map of earths ocean currents. Warm flows, like the western boundary currents, carry heat from the tropics toward the poles. Are there historical events that were shaped by ocean currents. Examine ocean salinity and temperature patterns and their. Currents overview lesson 8 presents the mechanisms that drive surface and deep ocean currents. Students will examine how organisms are affected by ocean currents. Pictures and diagrams are included that will greatly enhance your explanation to your students. Additionally, if you would like all of the resources together in a pdf document, that can be accessed as a complete resource here. Download a free snaps lab stations activity to learn more about my snaps labs. How ocean currents moderate climate teaching resources. For example, wind pushes the water along the surface to form winddriven currents.
Thermohaline circulation is the name for currents that occur when colder, saltier water sinks and displaces water that is warmer and less dense. Finally, we will look at different ways in which we can measure ocean currents. Sixth graders experiment to understand the ocean s currents. The ocean conveyor belt is caused by differences in water temperature and salinity.
Dynamics of ocean currents california digital library. Ocean currents and mixing by winds and waves can transport and redistribute heat to deeper ocean layers. Students will identify the primary causes for ocean currents and waves. Go with the flow note there are two major types of ocean currents. 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. Types of clouds coloring worksheetglobal and local winds activityocean currents color.
Students will watch a video lesson, complete handson learning. Did you know that the water in the worlds oceans is always on the move. Correlate current direction and speed with global winds. Dec 18, 2012 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.
Water at depth flows the same way as water at the surface. 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. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available. Msess26 ocean currents and climate lab stations activity. In this activity, you examined the relationship between salinity and deep ocean currents without changing the waters temperature. Display the ocean conveyor belt cartoon from the resource carousel. Also known as thermohaline circulation, the conveyor belt is a. Hello friends, today wer sharing notes on ocean currents one of the most important topics of geography for ssc. Sprinkle a teaspoon of herb oregano or chili powder over the surface. Students will calculate the magnitude of ocean currents. Currents are caused by water flowing in the ocean downhill like a river. To put together a representative report, we survey the global developer and tech communities on key issues, asking about whats important to.
In the activity, students play a game focused on the primary surface current names and locations. 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. Students will explain the cause of the coriolis effect, and how this effect influences ocean currents. The water is warmed on the surface, so warm currents flow across the surface of the ocean. Explain to students that this is a depiction of ocean currents called the ocean conveyor belt. 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. Are there presentday events that have been impacted by ocean currents. Ther e are also ocean currents deep below the surfacethese are often called under currents. It gives information related to different types of ocean current in detail and causes of ocean currents. Ocean currents, waves and tides types and causes with.
This website and its content is subject to our terms and conditions. Ocean currents 433 system is moving through space at an unknown speed. Tes global ltd is registered in england company no 02017289 with its registered office. The surface currents of the major ocean basins show similarities to the prevailing wind systems. Currents digitalocean currents is our seasonal report on trends for developers, entrepreneurs, and the world of tech.
Ocean currents rescue lab activity this is a fun little latitudelongitude ocean current activity. Using the data table and the current cards, draw in each of the currents onto the global ocean surface current map label and draw in the correct location and direction of each. Ocean currents and climate national geographic society. Fill a tin pie plate to the inner rim with cold tap water. Msess26 ocean currents and climate lab stations activity tpt. Cool, more dense water from the poles moves in deep ocean currents toward the equator and a convective movement is created. Students complete a worksheet and two online activities related to ocean currents. Discuss why it is important to study ocean currents. All the water on land eventually reaches the ocean.
Include in your discussion ways that plants, animals, and humans use ocean currents. This activity is a great way to introduce earths ocean currents while capitalizing on students mapping skills. Over larger areas, circular wind patterns create hills and valleys on the ocean surface. Identify major ocean gyres and their physical properties temperature, speed, and direction. Students will work with a clock buddy and explore these 2 websites on currents and marine life. Students should be taking no tes as they watch the video. Page1 reading activity to introduce students to the basics of ocean currents. Each of the following diagrams is a pdf file which depicts the general ocean circulation andor tidal currents in their respective areas. Teach your students about ocean currents, the different types of ocean currents, and their characteristics with this lesson plan. Unit 2 ocean currents in this unit, you will investigate the forces that drive surface currents in the worlds oceans. The pdf is compiled by clearias, so the credit goes to them.
The lesson plan itself has been set up to reflect a learning cycle approach to instruction. Engineering ocean currents is a fun and interactive activity that is designed to. Inform students that a surface ocean current is the movement of water driven by the wind, tide, ocean. These krill actually get carried from the bering sea to the alaska area by ocean currents. It also provides basic information about ocean currents,wave and tides. Currents copernicus marine environment monitoring service. Jan 11, 2016 wind, currents, and climate interactive notebook includes foldables and answer keys for. Contents of package your packet contains the copies of th e following activities. Stop and think questions pdf acrobat pdf 71kb sep 10 and word microsoft word 2007.
That warm water from the tropics causes mild winters in western europe. Ocean currents lesson plan motion in the ocean theme. Students plot the path of 2 current buoys to determine the location of a lost ship crew in the indian ocean. Students understand how ocean currents work by investigating density, the coriolis effect and winddriven currents through hands on activities. As seawater freezes and ice is formed in the annual cycles you saw in activity 2, salt is squeezed from. Upon completion of video, students should begin to answer questions provided on the ocean currents worksheet.
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