Ocean Currents, GEMS Teacher's Guide (4-6)

Contact Information

Phone: 510-642-7771
Fax: 510-643-0309

Street Address: Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California Berkeley, 1 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, California 94720-5200

Last Updated: 11-21-2004

Compendium Resource

Reviewer Comments

General Content
"Students grapple with complex, interdisciplinary scientific investigations [dealing with] aquatic habitats, ocean currents, and ocean interconnectedness."

Presentation
"The books are thoughtfully put together with lots of important hints for teachers."

Pedagogy
"Engaging topics and excellent hands-on activities."

"As with all GEMS, exploration is the key! These curricula will be well received by those teachers who let students do science and environmental education."

Teacher Usability
"Can be a real problem purchasing and gathering needed materials."

"Would be useful in a school where a science lab is set up."

"There is a lot of background information."

EE Program/Resource ss Details

Provided by: Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) University of California, Berkeley

Description: This companion guide to Only One Ocean provides fascinating, real-world insights into the causes and effects of marine currents. Students explore how wind, temperature, salinity, and density set water in motion. They learn how the ocean makes our planet livable and transports nutrients, people, and pollution.

Seven activities explore currents and their role in human migration and trade, the consequences of waste disposal, oceanographic exploration, and the concept of density. Activities address both National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Appendices include resources, assessment suggestions, and literature connections.

Web Address: http://www.lhsgems.org

Program/Resource Type: Activity/Learning Kit, Curriculum, Publication

Audience Served: 5, 6, 7, 8

Cost: $21

EE Focus: Climate Change, Ecosystems-Coast/Marine, Water

Academic Focus: History/Social Sciences, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science

Counties Served: Statewide

View Sample Pages (PDF)

Report Card

Overall Grade
General Content
Presentation
Pedagogy
Teacher Usability
Community

A-
A
A-
A
A
A-

Discipline Emphasis

Science
History/Social Science
Health
Mathematics
Visual/Performing Arts
Language Arts
Industrial/Vocational Ed.
Foreign Language