Maggie’s
Activity Pack
Name __________________________
Date ___________________________
Streams in the Ocean; Streams in the Sky
You know about rivers and streams. They may be wide and big or narrow and
small. These rivers have moving water. Water flows across fields, through cities, in
deserts, down mountains, and in forests. But did you know that rivers can flow in
oceans and big lakes? They can even blow in the sky!
Streams in the Ocean
The rivers that are found in oceans are called currents. In oceans, the currents
are directed mainly by winds and the shorelines that currents will flow around. Some
currents even have a specific name, like the Gulf Stream.
The Gulf Stream is a current of water that starts in the warm waters of the Gulf of
Mexico. It flows around the tip of Florida into the Atlantic Ocean and then up along the
East Coast of the United States. The current then curves east towards Europe and
flows all the way to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Streams in the Sky
There are also patterns of wind stream that blow around the Earth. They are
narrow “rivers of wind” in the sky with strong winds. These are called a jet stream.
The jet stream above the United States sometimes curves and bends. It brings
very cold winter temperatures down from Canada. When that happens, it is called an
“Alberta Clipper.” This name comes from Alberta, Canada and the fast sailing ships
called clippers. When the jet stream brings the cold Canadian air across the border,
people in the United States can feel the winter weather get very cold quickly.
Long ago, when sailing ships moved people and goods around the planet, sailors
depended on wind to take them in the direction they wanted to sail. They became very
good at finding consistent winds and would even wait until the winds were right. They
called these winds the Trade Winds since the winds helped them trade with other
countries. If there were no winds they were in the Doldrums.
Streams Affect Us
These ocean and air streams affect how and where we live. Both the ocean
currents and winds are very important in determining the climate of an area. Climate is
the long-term or average conditions of the weather we feel in an area. While weather
can change quickly and many times in a day, climate is what the area normally has in
terms of rain, snow, and temperature.
When the Gulf Stream current flows out of the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico
and far north into the Atlantic Ocean, the Trade Winds pick up the warm air above the
Gulf Stream. This warm air is blown to the southern coast of Ireland. Can you imagine
palm trees growing in Ireland? They do! The climate here is very mild even though
Ireland is farther north than some parts of Canada! So, wind and water streams can
determine not only our weather, but where we live.
© Maggie's Earth Adventures, LLC 2012. www.missmaggie.org Teachers may reproduce for classroom use.
It’s Your Chance to Report!
A weather reporter will tell you if it is warm, cold, or rainy outside. Sometimes
they stand in front of large maps with lots of arrows. These might show the jet stream.
Imagine you are a weather reporter. Explain the Gulf Stream and an approaching
Alberta Clipper. Tell people what they should do to prepare!
A change in climate can change currents like the jet stream and Gulf Stream. This can
change our long-term climate. Explain this, too.
© Maggie's Earth Adventures, LLC 2012. www.missmaggie.org Teachers may reproduce for classroom use.
Dear Colleague,
“If it matters to me then there will be retention.” This is a statement about learning
that I heard over and over when I sat in sessions at the National Association for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC). I agree! Children, well…all of us… respond
better when we understand the impact of something on our lives. I loved this idea. This
means we should try to get our students personally connected with every science
lesson – wait – I mean EVERY lesson. Help them to question how the ideas could
impact their lives. The content of this WAP is perfect for that goal. The jet stream, an
Alberta Clipper, etc. may seem far and away from us, but think about the weather
impact of these streams in the sky or ocean. Encourage your children to consider how
they affect your daily existence. Plan a “scavenger hunt” and ask children to collect
statements they hear or even read about these sky or ocean streams. Tack any news
reports on your bulletin board. Encourage children to look for photos of palm trees in
unexpected places. I know when I was on the west coast of both Ireland and Scotland, I
was shocked to see those waving palms! This is a wonderful time of year to look at Wild
Weather events! Purchase entry into “Maggie’s Treasure Trove” at
www.missmaggie.org/bookstore and you’ll find several activities under, “Weather
Series.”
I love to make science meaningful by connecting it with art. Why not have your
students create a stand-up display showing an area that has been affected by one of
these streams? What a perfect project for these wintery days when you might need to
stay inside. I remember one of my classes was inside for an extended cold and snowy
spell. We pulled out our on-going construction project each recess. Much to my
surprise, some of the most energetic children were disappointed when we could finally
return to the outdoor playground.
And finally, this WAP may be one of those areas where kids educate parents –
very powerful!!! This was another theme I heard discussed at the NAEYC convention. I
loved to assign “tell someone at your home” homework. The key to this is talking about
it the next day. This got a good review from parents who often become overwhelmed
with all the paper we send home – talking is important!
Happy teaching,
Kathy
Answers will vary. Encourage children to collaborate. Integrate technology by videotaping your young
reporters and playing the videos for other classes or for parent groups.
Goals:
Children will read about streams in the sky and ocean such as the Gulf Stream and
Alberta Clippers along with their impact on weather and climate. Follow-up activities
include the higher-order comprehension skill of application. Ideas for technology
integration, art projects, and social studies/geography are suggested. This WAP is
available on the primary and intermediate levels and correlates with the IRA/NCTE
Standard, “Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret,
evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions
with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their
word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., soundletter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).”
© Maggie's Earth Adventures, LLC 2012. www.missmaggie.org Teachers may reproduce for classroom use.