--- title: MS-ESS2-6 Lesson Plans | Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation description: "MS-ESS2-6: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates." image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # MS-ESS2-6: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Using mathematics and computational thinking](https://www.knowatom.com/using-mathematics-and-computational-thinking) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Earth and the Solar System](https://www.knowatom.com/earth-and-the-solar-system) - [The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes](https://www.knowatom.com/the-roles-of-water-in-earth-surface-processes) - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Energy and Matter](https://www.knowatom.com/energy-and-matter) - [Systems and System Models](https://www.knowatom.com/systems-and-system-models) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse MS-ESS2-6 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-09-2023-06-50-12-9288-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/sun-angle-and-temperature) ## [Sun Angle and Temperature In this unit, students analyze the phenomenon of our sun as the primary source of energy on Earth. In this lesson, students explore how the sun’s uneven heating of the planet drives weather phenomena and climate phenomena, which result from complex interactions within Earth’s systems. This page is an extract from parts of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/sun-angle-and-temperature) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/sun-angle-and-temperature) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-06-50-09-1556-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) ## [Convection and Weather In this unit, students explore the phenomena of convection by discovering how heat is transferred from warmer locations to cooler locations, which is a major cause of weather and climate. This page is a high-level extract of a lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/convection-and-weather) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-06-50-09-1556-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) ## [Greenhouse Effect In this unit, students figure out the relationship between human activities and the phenomena of global warming. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/greenhouse-effect) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-08-2023-08-20-18-3788-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/the-water-cycle-and-earths-systems) ## [The Water Cycle and Earth's Systems In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of matter, energy, and heat transfer to explore weather and climate. In this lesson they investigate how the sun powers the global water cycle, which in turn has very local impacts that affect regional climates around the world. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/the-water-cycle-and-earths-systems) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/the-water-cycle-and-earths-systems) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-08-20-13-1100-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/ocean-salinity-and-density) ## [Ocean Salinity and Density In this unit, students investigate the relationship between the water cycle, ocean salinity, weather, and climate. In this lesson, students explore ocean salinity and analyze how ocean density is related to its molecular structure. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/ocean-salinity-and-density) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/ocean-salinity-and-density) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-08-20-15-5924-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earths-climate) ## [Earth’s Climate In this unit, students build on their scientific knowledge about matter, energy, and heat transfer to explore science phenomena related to weather and climate. They investigate how the sun powers the global water cycle, which in turn has very local impacts that affect the phenomena of regional climates around the world. This page showcases all the parts of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earths-climate) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/earths-climate) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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