Oceans and Coasts

A few weeks ago, we had to conduct a jig-saw lesson. I had never heard of this way of teaching before. We were broken into groups and had to become experts on different aspects of climate change, I chose Oceans and Coasts. We then were broken up into smaller groups from there and I was partnered to work with another Teacher Candidate who chose the same topic. We both had to become experts in this topic. We decided to split oceans and coasts and each research those aspects, in relation to global warming. It was interesting to work on a shared presentation and both contribute to the presentation equally. My partner and I got along well together and created a great presentation that you can find here. We had a lot of factual information, but we made sure we broke it up with some stop and ponder slides and a youtube video. Did you know:

• During the last ice age glaciers covered almost one-third of Earth's land mass, with the result being that the oceans were about 400 feet lower than today.
• During the last global "warm spell," about 125,000 years ago, the seas were about 18 feet higher than they are now. About three million years ago the oceans could have been up to 165 feet higher.
• There is strong evidence that global sea level is now rising at an increased rate and will continue to rise during this century.
• Studies have shown that sea levels did changed a little from AD 0 to 1900, but these levels began to climb more in the 20th century.
• The two major causes of global sea-level rise are thermal expansion caused by the warming of the oceans (since water expands as it warms) and the loss of land-based ice (such as glaciers) due to increased melting.

It is alarming how Global Warming is really an issue for our Earth. We need to start making changes now so that our Earth is still here in 100 years!