Sea Sleuths: Solving the Mysteries
of Ocean Motion
Activity: Students will learn about the
different ways ocean waters move: currents,
tides, and waves.
- Ask students to brainstorm different ways
that ocean waters move. You could spark
the discussion by asking: “If you were
floating on an inner tube in the ocean, why
wouldn’t you be completely still?”
“How does a sailboat on the ocean move if
there is no wind?” “You make a great sand
castle on the beach, far up on the shore.
But when you return after lunch, the sea has
washed it away. What happened?”
- Explain that the ocean waters are always
moving, due to the forces of waves, currents,
and tides. Look at the three questions above.
The first question shows how waves move
water, the second is an example of currents,
and the third describes the effects of tides.
- Have the students write down five things
they’d like to know about waves, five things
they’d like to know about currents, and five
things they’d like to know about tides.
For example: What causes a tide?
What makes a wave big? Do waves move
things? Do currents always move in the
same direction?
- Divide the class into three teams of “sea
sleuths” and assign each team to currents,
tides, or waves. Explain that their job is to
see how many class questions they can answer
during a set research time. Have them write
all their answers on a piece of paper titled
“Ocean Motion Mystery File: Tides (or
Currents or Waves).” Encourage them to
keep track of other interesting facts
they learn along the way.
- When the teams have collected their answers,
have team members take turns presenting
what they have learned.
- Post each team’s “Ocean Motion Mystery File”
on the classroom bulletin board.
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