|
Grade Level(s): 6-8
Introduction: The word "tides" refers to the alternating rise and fall in sea level with respect to the land. It is caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun. Tides can also occur in large lakes, the atmosphere, and within the solid crust of the earth. Additional factors such as the configuration of the coast line, depth of the water, ocean-floor topography and some hydrographic and meteorological influences can affect the rise and fall in water level. Usually, high and low tides appear twice daily.
The information about high tides and low tides are useful in many ways. Navigation of ships through waterways depend on this information so they can make sure that the ships can make it through. Construction of bridges, docks, breakwaters, and deep-water channels depends on this information, too. Also, the military uses this information for underwater demolition and other engineering uses. It is also important to fishing, boating, surfing, and many different water related sports.
Learner Objectives:
- The student will be able to read and keep a log of high and low tide information found in the newspaper on the Internet for one week
- The student will be able to created a periodic tidal graph from the information they have received.
- The student will be able to discuss what tides are, their cause and the importance of this knowledge and whom it affects.
- The student will be able to identify the characteristics of periodic graphs and make connections between situation, graph and table.
- The student will be able to recognize the power of graphs and tables for representing and solving real life problems.
- The student will be able to recognize and predict patterns of increase and decrease from the graph they create.
- The student will recognize periodic functions and cycles.
Florida Sunshine State Standards: Math: MA.B.3.3.1, MA.D.1.3.2, MA.E.1.3.1, MA.E.1.3.3, MA.E.2.3.1; MA.E.2.3.2, Science: SC.D.1.3.3, SC.D.1.3.5
Competency Based Curriculum: Math: M/J-II-13-C; IV-6-A, VI-1-A, VI-2-A, VI-4-A, VI-7-A, VI-8-B, VI-10-B, M/J-I-III-2-A, Science: M/J-3-I-8-A
Materials:
Newspapers showing high and low tides for seven consecutive days
OR
Internet information showing high and low tides for seven consecutive days
Paper
Graph paper
Pencil
Activity Procedures:
- Students will be asked to keep a log of the high and low tides each day for one week. They will get this information from the newspaper or from the internet.
- Students will be asked to create a table from the information they received.
- Students will be asked to create a periodic tidal graph using the information they received from the newspaper or Internet. This graph will include high and low tides for seven consecutive days. It must be marked with the dates, water levels and times.
- Students will be asked to predict the high and low tides and times for the next three days. They will then be asked to explain how they reached this conclusion.
Student Assessment:
- Have students explain what they learned about high and low tides and the times of the day that they occur.
- Allow students to answer critical thinking questions about high and low tides and the times of the day that they occur.
- Allow students to look into the background and causes of tides.
Activity Extensions:
- Encourage students to find other reasons why knowing information about high and low tides would be important. (Science, Language Arts)
- Allow students to look up information on the internet about predicting tides. (Science)
- Allow students to do activities from the "Math in Context" program on "Ups and Down" which discussed tides in the Netherlands and in the area near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. (Math, Social Studies)
Home Learning Activity:
Students must find another real life situation which has evidence of increases and decreases. (For example — temperature in an air-conditioned house with the air-conditioner set on auto, the temperature in an oven, body temperature, speeds on a raceway, etc.) The student must write two paragraphs on this real life situation and how it relates to high tides and low tides. The student must then create a periodic graph relating this information.
References/Related Links:
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~jodale/eder673/first/content.html
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~feegi/ocean.html
http://www.nasa.gov
http://spacelink.nasa.gov
|
|
