Why do oceans have waves and surf?

Level: Primary School

Aim: To explain the scientific reason for the waves and surf after teaching them the poem Washday by Elizabeth F. Upson

1.   When the wind blows hard, have you noticed how your hair flies?

2.   When the same wind flows through ocean water, it billows into waves.

3.   A wave is a swell on a watery surface.

4.   If the wind is stronger, the waves are higher and rougher.

5.   The sun, earth and moon are in a pull creating waves.

6.   The moon pulls the spinning earth’s waves towards it making waves.

7.   When the moon rises at night, it comes closer to earth.

8.   That’s why waves are taller and stronger at night.

9.   After having covered many kilometres, the huge waves crash onto the seacoast.

10.                     When the big waves reach shallow water with rocks, sand and seaweeds they break into bubbles and water droplets called surf.