Ocean Circulation Playlist

Molly Ludwick, Kings Mountain Middle School

Beverly Owens, Cleveland Early College High School

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection. (view details)

This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Reviewed Teaching Collection

This activity has received positive reviews in a peer review process involving five review categories. The five categories included in the process are

Scientific Accuracy
Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
Pedagogic Effectiveness
Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
Completeness of the ActivitySheet web page

For more information about the peer review process itself, please see https://serc.carleton.edu/teachearth/activity_review.html.

Initial Publication Date: March 5, 2021 | Reviewed: August 4, 2022 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This activity is a Google Slides playlist that will introduce fluctuations in thermohaline circulation, and potential impacts of changes in these patterns. This playlist is suitable for use in remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction and can easily be added to a Learning Management System.

Atmospheric and oceanic circulation, Climate sensitivity and ...(more) | Middle (6-8), High School (9-12) | Online Ready

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Context

Audience

Suitable for middle grades science or high school earth science courses when studying oceans and currents.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should be familiar with using Google Slides. This is an introductory assignment for studying ocean currents. No prior knowledge is necessary. Lab safety skills.

How the activity is situated in the course

This activity can be used as a stand-alone activity or in combination with a unit on oceans or currents. This activity is also suitable for remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Students will describe the difference between surface currents and deep ocean currents.

Students will explain the process of thermohaline circulation.

Students will describe how ocean currents affect life on Earth.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Students will analyze infographics.

Students will conduct a lab experiment.

Other skills goals for this activity

Students will use observational skills.

Description and Teaching Materials

This activity is housed in Google Slides and will be used in "edit" mode.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lsONT3NXPIse-zknshHDFy1I1-j--T-IZONyBTZN7VQ/edit?usp=sharing

Teaching Notes and Tips

The link allows access to a "view only" copy of the playlist. You can choose, "File" then "Make a Copy" from the tool bar to create an editable copy. A "force copy" link is provided on the first slide. This activity is easily integrated into a Learning Management System.

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Assessment

Students will complete activities as they progress through the playlist that provide formative assessments of the material being introduced. Students can submit the slides in a Learning Management System so teachers can check their work.