What Causes Tides
Interactive worksheet with auto-grading, instant feedback, and printable PDF.
- Format
- Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
- Grades
- 678
- Subjects
- science
- Standards
- NGSS. MS-ESS1-1MS-ESS1-2
What's included
About this worksheet
Introduce the real cause of ocean tides with this print-ready reading passage and question set, built for NGSS MS-ESS1-1 and grades 6-8. The science note explains how the Moon's gravity pulls Earth's oceans into a bulge on the near side, why a second bulge forms on the far side, and how Earth's rotation through both bulges gives most coasts about two high tides and two low tides each day.
A labeled diagram supports the text, and four scaffolded questions move students from recall toward reasoning, including the keystone idea: why there is a tidal bulge on the side of Earth facing away from the Moon. Short-answer lines give students room to explain their thinking in complete sentences.
A complete answer key with sample responses is included, and everything prints cleanly in black and white. Pair it with the Spring and Neap Tides reading and the rest of the tides unit for a full teach, practice, and assess sequence.
- Reading passage plus 4 questions with answer key
- Two-bulge gravity diagram
- Aligned to NGSS MS-ESS1-1, grades 6-8
Perfect for the way you teach
- Assign in one click
- Track progress per student
- Auto-graded results
- Practice at home
- Print or do on-screen
- Build skill mastery
- Standards-aligned
- Self-paced
- Ready-to-use today
