Oceans
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What I Know
What I Want To Learn
What I Have Learned
Label the Earth's Oceans
Read the definitions, then label the map below.
Definitions
Arctic Ocean - an ocean around the North Pole, bordering northern Europe, Asia and
North America. It is the smallest ocean.
Atlantic Ocean - an ocean bordering western Europe, western Africa, Antarctica, and
eastern North and South America.
Indian Ocean - an ocean bordering eastern Africa, southern Asia, western Australia, and
Antarctica.
Pacific Ocean - an ocean bordering eastern Asia, northeastern Australia, Antarctica, and
western North and South America. It is the biggest ocean.
The Earth is surrounded by two great oceans: an ocean of air and an ocean of
water. Both are in constant motion, driven by the energy of the sun and the
gravity of the Earth. Their motions are linked; the winds give energy to the sea
surface and ocean currents are the result. The currents carry heat from one
location to another, altering the Earth's surface temperature patterns and
modifying the air above.
Out in the open sea, ocean waters are driven by two great wind systems. Close
to the equator the Trade Winds blow the surface waters westward. In the
temperate zone, the Westerlies blow the surface waters back toward the east.
The result is that in each great ocean basin there is roughly circular movement of
the surface waters. In the northern hemisphere these wind driven currents move
clockwise and in the southern hemisphere they move counter clockwise. Both
surface and deep-water currents affect the world's climate by moving cold water
from the poles toward the tropics and vice versa.
Ocean waters are always in motion. Currents flow like rivers, waves crash
against seashores and tides rise and fall.
1. How does the Earth's ocean of air and
ocean of water interact?
2. Where would you find Trade Winds on
planet Earth?
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3. When you flush a toilet in the North
Hemisphere in which direction does it
move? Why?
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4. In what direction do Westerlies Winds
move air masses?
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Oceans Maze Worksheet
Directions:
Show the sea turtle how to get back to the ocean.
Ocean Acrostic Poem
An acrostic poem is one where you choose a word or name and use each letter in the name as
the beginning of a word or line that tells something about that person or topic.
Example: An acrostic poem using the word "Sun."
Sometimes when we go to the beach, I will get sun burn.
Usually if I put Sun block on my skin, I will not burn.
Noon is when I'm really prone to burning.
Write an Acrostic Poem using the word below.
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Do The Research!
Oceans
Directions: Research the topic indicated to the right and
answer the questions below, based on that topic.
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1. Where can you find the
highest tides in the world ?
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2. Which is the largest of
Earth's Oceans??
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3. How much of Earth's
surface is covered by
Ocean?
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