Earth’s Waters: Oceans, Freshwater, Currents & Climate Unit | MS Earth Science

Click on this link to download a preview of Earth's Waters unit.

This unit is included in the Earth Science Curriculum 5E Model.

Teach Earth’s water distribution, freshwater systems, ocean characteristics, waves, tides, and global ocean currents with this comprehensive Earth’s Waters Unit designed for middle school Earth science.

This complete unit includes full lessons, notes, interactive notebooks, labs, quizzes, stations, task cards, and assessments—everything you need for a zero-prep, high-engagement study of Earth’s water systems.

Perfect for grades 6–8, this resource helps students understand the water cycle, ocean circulation, climate influence, salinity, density currents, freshwater ecosystems, and the Coriolis effect.

Aligned to NGSS Middle School Earth Science (MS-ESS2 and MS-ESS3) for Earth’s systems, water distribution, and human interactions with water resources.

⭐ What’s Included

• PowerPoints for:
  • Earth: The Water Planet
  • Fresh Water
  • Ocean Characteristics & Composition
  • Ocean Waves & Tides
  • Ocean Currents & Climate
• Student Notes (print + digital)
• Interactive Notebook activities (print + digital)
• Mini-quizzes + digital assessments
• Teacher Demo: Convection Currents
• Guided Inquiry Lab: Coriolis Effect
• Science Stations (STEM Challenge Included)
• Task Cards (print + digital)
• Study Guide
• Final Chapter Assessment
• 11-day pacing guide
• Answer keys for all components

⭐ Key Concepts Covered

• Earth’s water distribution (saltwater vs freshwater)
• Properties of water on Earth
• Surface water, rivers, lakes, aquifers & groundwater
• Ocean salinity, temperature, and density
• Waves, tides (spring/neap), and coastal processes
• Surface currents, deep currents & global conveyor belt
• Coriolis effect on wind and water movement
• Ocean–atmosphere interactions
• How oceans influence global climate

⭐ Why Teachers Love This Unit

• High-engagement labs & demos (Coriolis effect is always a winner)
• Zero prep — lessons, assessments, stations, and labs included
• Perfect for NGSS-aligned Earth science instruction
• Flexible for print or digital classrooms
• Real-world ocean and freshwater science students love

⭐ Ideal For

• Middle school Earth science
• Water cycle & hydrosphere units
• Oceanography
• Earth systems
• NGSS MS-ESS2 focus
• Interactive notebook or stations classrooms

⭐Suggested Pacing Guide – Earth’s Waters (11 Days)

Day 1: Teacher Demo – Convection Currents; Section 1 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 2: Section 1 Mini-Quiz; Section 2 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 3: Section 2 Mini-Quiz; Guided Inquiry Lab – Coriolis Effect
Day 4: Section 3 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 5: Section 3 Mini-Quiz; Section 4 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 6: Section 4 Mini-Quiz; Section 5 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 7: Section 5 Mini-Quiz; Science Stations
Day 8: Science Stations
Day 9: Creation Station Final Draft + Testing
Day 10: Task Cards + Study Guide
Day 11: Chapter Assessment

Copyright © NGS Magnified, LLC. All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón.  All NGS Magnified curriculum is creative property of Erica Colón and cannot be resold or distributed.  This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.