Texas TEKS 5.10.A
The Standard
explain how the Sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle and affect weather
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain that sunlight warms ocean water and causes evaporation. They connect water vapor, condensation, clouds, and precipitation to changes in weather.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can draw and explain the cycle from ocean water to evaporation, clouds, and precipitation. The student links ocean moisture to humidity, clouds, and rain.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Sun pulls water upward or that clouds are made of water vapor. They may also think the ocean affects only coastal weather or that evaporation happens only when water boils.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Draw how energy and water move between the Sun, ocean, and atmosphere. Label evaporation, condensation, and one resulting weather condition.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place equal cups of water under a lamp and in shade, then compare temperature and water loss over time.
Write a short explanation answering: How can sunlight over the ocean lead to rain over land?
Give groups Sun, ocean, vapor, cloud, wind, and rain cards to sequence, then have them explain each connection.
Compare a coastal and inland weather report, then identify how ocean moisture may explain differences in humidity, clouds, or rain.
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Printable 5.10.A Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 6.9.B
describe and predict how the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon cause daily, spring, and neap cycles of ocean tides due to gravitational forces.
- 4.10.A
describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water above and on the surface of Earth through the water cycle and explain the role of the Sun as a major so...
- 8.10
The student knows that interactions between Earth, ocean, and weather systems impact climate.
- 8.10.A
describe how energy from the Sun, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact and influence weather and climate
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