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Big Idea: The Ocean in Motion
The ocean never rests. Anyone who has swum in, sailed on, or just sat on the beach beside the ocean knows that it is constantly moving. Waves, currents, and tides all move ocean waters; and once in motion, the ocean water can transport sediments and erode the land.
Essential Questions:
• How do ocean currents distribute heat across the earth?
• What are the origin, chemical makeup, and structure of the oceans?
• Why are the ocean waters constantly moving?
Understanding Goals
The learner will demonstrate:
1. Comprehension of ocean chemistry by explaining salinity, the value of average salinity of sea water, and the causes of variations in ocean salinity.
2. Analysis of ocean history by identifying the likely origin of most of the water in the oceans, and the sources of the dissolved materials in ocean water.
3. Comprehension of desalination by describing why it is not used more extensively for such things as irrigation of crops in arid regions.
4. Knowledge of the oceans' layered structure by recognizing how temperature (thermocline) and salinity (halocline) typically vary with depth.
5. Application of ocean depth by illustrating how an echo sounder works.
6. Analysis of the ocean floor by identifying the three major topographic subdivisions of the ocean basins.
7. Comprehension of ocean floor topography by describing and explaining distinctions as needed: continental shelf, slope and rise; submarine canyons; deep-sea fans.
8. Comprehension of turbidity currents by summarizing how they form and move, their effects on topography of the shelf and nearby deep-sea floor, and the sedimentary deposits they form.
9. Synthesis of ocean floor morphology by categorizing the major features of the ocean basin floor and the geologic activity typically associated with each.
10. Analysis of coral reefs by identifying conditions favorable for their development and explaining the current theory for the formation of coral atolls.
11. Knowledge of ocean floor features by recognizing mid-ocean ridges and the geologic activity taking place there.
12. Application of surface ocean currents by illustrating their general circulation patterns and their driving mechanisms, including the influence of the Coriolis Effect.
13. Synthesis of surface ocean currents by relating their significance to world climate, ocean navigation, and the locations of natural fisheries.
14. Comprehension of the general patterns of deep-ocean circulation by explaining the factors contributing to the density differences which drive deep-ocean circulation.
15. Application of the Earth-moon system by demonstrating how gravitational interactions of the earth, moon and sun cause tides, including the reasons for systematic variations in the tidal range.
16. Analysis of wave motion by differentiating the characteristics (dimensions) of surface water waves, and the pattern of motion of water as waves propagate through it, both in deep water and as they approach the shore.
17. Comprehension of ocean waves by determining the factors influencing the size of waves, the mechanisms by which waves erode, and their effect on the shape of coastlines.
18. Application of long-shore currents and beach drift by illustrating each as to its role and effectiveness in sediment transport.
Learning Targets:
An ocean-literate person:
• understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts about the functioning of the ocean;
• can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
• is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
Objectives:
• Explain why salt water is essential to life on Earth
• Explain the origin of water on Earth
• Describe the chemical composition of seawater
• Explain why salinity differs at various latitudes
• Explain thermal effects on the ocean
• Describe the Coriolis effect
• Explain the relationships between currents and climate
• Explain the El Niño phenomenon
• Define tides and tidal range
• Explain how tides are affected by gravity
• Explain the moon’s role in tidal movement
• Explain spring and neap tides
• Explain the role of sediments in the coastal system
• Explain how waves affect coastal areas
• Diagram and explain beach depositional features
• Explain longshore drift
• Explain how human-made structures sculpt beach areas
• Explain why society is interested in coastal dynamics
The ocean never rests. Anyone who has swum in, sailed on, or just sat on the beach beside the ocean knows that it is constantly moving. Waves, currents, and tides all move ocean waters; and once in motion, the ocean water can transport sediments and erode the land.
Essential Questions:
• How do ocean currents distribute heat across the earth?
• What are the origin, chemical makeup, and structure of the oceans?
• Why are the ocean waters constantly moving?
Understanding Goals
The learner will demonstrate:
1. Comprehension of ocean chemistry by explaining salinity, the value of average salinity of sea water, and the causes of variations in ocean salinity.
2. Analysis of ocean history by identifying the likely origin of most of the water in the oceans, and the sources of the dissolved materials in ocean water.
3. Comprehension of desalination by describing why it is not used more extensively for such things as irrigation of crops in arid regions.
4. Knowledge of the oceans' layered structure by recognizing how temperature (thermocline) and salinity (halocline) typically vary with depth.
5. Application of ocean depth by illustrating how an echo sounder works.
6. Analysis of the ocean floor by identifying the three major topographic subdivisions of the ocean basins.
7. Comprehension of ocean floor topography by describing and explaining distinctions as needed: continental shelf, slope and rise; submarine canyons; deep-sea fans.
8. Comprehension of turbidity currents by summarizing how they form and move, their effects on topography of the shelf and nearby deep-sea floor, and the sedimentary deposits they form.
9. Synthesis of ocean floor morphology by categorizing the major features of the ocean basin floor and the geologic activity typically associated with each.
10. Analysis of coral reefs by identifying conditions favorable for their development and explaining the current theory for the formation of coral atolls.
11. Knowledge of ocean floor features by recognizing mid-ocean ridges and the geologic activity taking place there.
12. Application of surface ocean currents by illustrating their general circulation patterns and their driving mechanisms, including the influence of the Coriolis Effect.
13. Synthesis of surface ocean currents by relating their significance to world climate, ocean navigation, and the locations of natural fisheries.
14. Comprehension of the general patterns of deep-ocean circulation by explaining the factors contributing to the density differences which drive deep-ocean circulation.
15. Application of the Earth-moon system by demonstrating how gravitational interactions of the earth, moon and sun cause tides, including the reasons for systematic variations in the tidal range.
16. Analysis of wave motion by differentiating the characteristics (dimensions) of surface water waves, and the pattern of motion of water as waves propagate through it, both in deep water and as they approach the shore.
17. Comprehension of ocean waves by determining the factors influencing the size of waves, the mechanisms by which waves erode, and their effect on the shape of coastlines.
18. Application of long-shore currents and beach drift by illustrating each as to its role and effectiveness in sediment transport.
Learning Targets:
An ocean-literate person:
• understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts about the functioning of the ocean;
• can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
• is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
Objectives:
• Explain why salt water is essential to life on Earth
• Explain the origin of water on Earth
• Describe the chemical composition of seawater
• Explain why salinity differs at various latitudes
• Explain thermal effects on the ocean
• Describe the Coriolis effect
• Explain the relationships between currents and climate
• Explain the El Niño phenomenon
• Define tides and tidal range
• Explain how tides are affected by gravity
• Explain the moon’s role in tidal movement
• Explain spring and neap tides
• Explain the role of sediments in the coastal system
• Explain how waves affect coastal areas
• Diagram and explain beach depositional features
• Explain longshore drift
• Explain how human-made structures sculpt beach areas
• Explain why society is interested in coastal dynamics