SHORT TERM GOALS:
TIME ALLOTMENT: 2 1/2 hours
CONTENT AREAS ADDRESSED:
CONCEPTS ADDRESSED:
MATERIALS:
Covered on each of the individual lessons.
PROCEDURE:
Throughout the course of the week, we will be introducing a few of the theories as to why ships and planes have disappeared in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. Each day for four days, a half-hour lesson will be taught. Students can begin making judgements and collecting information about the Bermuda Triangle and the "logic" behind it. There are many theories regarding the disappearances, but we will be looking at four of the most scientific reasons.
- Magnetism- How the magnetic north and a compass help guide travelers, but if the compass fails, ships can be thrown off course.
- Currents- The many current systems within the ocean have the ability to throw ships off course and out to sea.
- Whirlpools-The severe swirling effects of a whirlpool can have the capability to suck ships into the ocean, making it look as though they just disappear.
- Earthquakes/Quicksand-An earthquake is believed to have sunk the lost continent of Atlantis, which lies beneath the Bermuda Triangle. The continent sunk as if it were trapped in quicksand.
The individual lessons are attached to give a more in depth look at each of the theories.
ASSESSMENT AND EXTENSIONS:
The individual lessons include specific assessment tactics and extensions relating to each lesson. There are many other methods of assessment and extension for the Bermuda Triangle. One extension that the creators of this unit thought would be helpful would be to have a literature corner with a variety of science books on the Bermuda Triangle, magnetism, currents, whirlpools, earthquakes, and quicksand. With these, students can research their own theory or build up their belief as to why they think ships and planes disappear within this area of the ocean. Possible books to include in the literature corner could be,
Cousteau, J. (1975). The ocean world of Jacques Cousteau. Danbury, CN: Danbury Press. [ISBN: 0-8109-0579-5]
Ganeri, A. (1994). The ocean's atlas. New York: Dorling Kindersley. [ISBN: 1-56458-475-5]
Jennings, T. (1992). Exploring our world: Oceans and seas. Danbury, CN: Grolier Educational Corporation. [ISBN: 0-7172-7168-4]
Macquitty, M. (1995). Ocean. New York: Dorling Kindersley Book. [ISBN: 0-679-87331-7]
Mariner, T. (1990). Earth in action: Oceans. New York: Marshall Cavendish. [ISBN: 1-85435-190-7]
RESOURCES:
http://www.crystalinks.com/bermuda.html
http://earthview.sdsu.edu/trees/mag.html
http://www.exploratorium.edu/xref/exhibits/circles_of_magnetism_i.html
http://www.meninblack.com/meninblackmag/Volume4/Phenomena.html
http://www.m-m.org/~jz/sphinxu.html
http://www.parascope.com/en/bermuda1.htm
Baker, W. & Haslam, A. (1992) Make it work: Earth. New York: Thomson Learning. [ISBN: 1-56847-468-7]
Challand, H.J. (1984). Activities in the physical sciences. Chicago: Childrens Press. [ISBN: 0-516-00504-9]
Cousteau, J. (1975). The ocean world of Jacques Cousteau. Danbury, CN: Danbury Press. [ISBN: 0-8109-0579-5]
Elementary science experiments. (1971). Compton, CA: Educational Insights. [ISBN: 0-88679-352-1]
Ganeri, A. (1994). The ocean's atlas. New York: Dorling Kindersley. [ISBN: 1-56458-475-5]
Jennings, T. (1992). Exploring our world: Oceans and seas. Danbury, CN: Grolier Educational Corporation. [ISBN: 0-7172-7168-4]
Macquitty, M. (1995). Ocean. New York: Dorling Kindersley Book. [ISBN: 0-679-87331-7]
Mariner, T. (1990). Earth in action: Oceans. New York: Marshall Cavendish. [ISBN: 1-85435-190-7]
Go to:
Where in the World is the Bermuda Triangle lesson
Magnetism and the Compass lesson