Ocean Floor, Ocean Salinity, and Ocean Current Activity

Standard 5.6
a) geological characteristics
b) physical characteristics

• Important features of the ocean floor near the continents are the continenental shelf, the continental slope, and the continental rise. These areas are covered with thick layers of sediment.
• The basic motions of ocean water are the waves, currents, and tides.
• Ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, are caused by wind patterns and the differences in water densities (due to salinity and temperature differences). Ocean currents affect the mixing of ocean waters. This can affect plant and animal populations. Currents also affect navigation routes.

" A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE OCEAN" is a webquest that guides students who are divided into three groups, to investigate websites (links are provided) in order to gather information for a presentations that will help Petey the fish to better understand his ocean environment. This webquest, created by Jessica Phelps, a practicum student at James Madison University, was specifically created to align with Virginia's SOL for fifth grade science.

Click to view the webquest, "A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE OCEAN," from QuestGarden.
Link/File Type: Website