Exploring the OceansWrite-On Grade Five

Materials adapted from:Tennessee EditionHarcourt ScienceGrade 5Unit C2003 EditionHarcourt School Publishershttp://www.harcourtschool.com

Learner ExpectationsContent Standard: 9.0 The student will understand that

the earth has many geological features that are constantly changing.

Learning Expectations:9.1 Recognize that the earth’s

geological features change.

Addressed AreasPOPULATIONS AND ECOSYSTEMS:

A population consists of all individuals of a species that occur together at a given place and time. All populations living together and the physical factors with which they interact compose an ecosystem.

NATURAL HAZARDSHuman activities can induce hazards through resource acquisition, urban growth, land-use decisions, and waste disposal. Such activities can accelerate many natural changes.

 

Exploring the Oceans

Oceans are complex systems that interact with Earth’s land, air, and living organisms. They are affected by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Learner Outcomes:Explore an OceanConduct a “Google” search for information on the world’s oceansand research for interesting facts.Students will:

Identify four oceans and take short notes about them. Make a Venn Diagram that shows relationships between the oceans. Go on a web quest by Peyri Ingrum titled “The Ocean’s in Trouble” and explore what happens if an ocean is in trouble.

What are oceans like?

*In your Science Journals:

Describe what oceans and seas are.Describe features of the ocean floor.Then, take a Webquest.

Oceans and SeasMost of the Earth’s surface is covered with a continuous body of salt water divided into four oceans and many seas.The deepest ocean is the Pacific Ocean.The shallowest is the Atlantic Ocean.Seas are smaller than oceans and are separated from each other or from an ocean by land or by a chain of islands.

The Ocean FloorContinental Shelf

Around the edges of the continents, a shallow area called the continental shelf extends into the ocean for about 50 miles. It is no deeper than 460 feet, although it varies in width from one mile to about 745 miles in the arctic regions.

The Ocean FloorContinental Slope

Beyond the continental shelf is a steep continental slope that drops sharply to a depth of about 10,000 feet. After that it slopes more gradually to a depth of about 13,000 feet. In some places the continental slope is deeply cut by canyons. Many of these canyons have been carved by large rivers entering the oceans.

The Ocean FloorAbyssal Plains

The flattest parts of the ocean floor, which are also the flattest parts of the Earth’s surface, are the abyssal plains. They are an average depth of 16,000 feet. They are covered with a thick layer of ooze consisting of mud, sand, and decaying organic matter. The abyssal plains cover vast areas of the ocean floor.

Don’t Forget…Come back to the power point presentation to finish the lesson. You have a writing activity.

Webquest *A special thanks to the Author of “The Ocean’s in

Trouble!” by Peyri Ingrum.

Writing ActivityWrite a paragraph about an ocean ecosystem and the effect living things or man have on this environment. Use four facts that you learned from this presentation.