Activity

How Do Plate Tectonics and Ocean Currents Affect Global Climate?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This How Do Plate Tectonics and Ocean Currents Affect Global Climate? activity also includes:

What do plate tectonics and ocean currents have to do with global climate? This fourth installment in a six-part series focuses on how plate tectonics and ocean currents affect global climate, both now and in the past, outlines an investigation using clay models and water to show how plate tectonics and ocean currents are related to climate.

105 Views 111 Downloads NGSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Use the "Preparing for the Chapter Challenge" activity as a group project
Classroom Considerations
  • Prior information on plate tectonics and ocean currents would be helpful
  • Materials are needed for the activity, including ice cubes colored with food dye; prior preparation is essential
Pros
  • Graphics and images provide visual support of information
  • Hands-on investigation gives learners a chance to visually see how land masses and ocean currents affect climate

 

Cons
  • Materials list and answer key are not included in the lesson
  • Heavy reading load may be challenging for some learners
  • Document permissions do not allow for printing
NGSS