Achieve 3000/ Bermuda Triangle

Achieve 3000/Making Predictions
Learning Target: I can make and confirm predictions.​

Discuss this image:

By Brendan Mccann

Open Ended

Title: "Triangle of Trouble"

Genre: Nonfiction/Mystery

Graphic: Map (click to enlarge)

Picture from last slide

Use these three text features to make a prediction: what is the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle?

Part One: Read and describe the event that happened in the Bermuda Triangle.

On a December afternoon in 1945, five U.S. Navy planes took off from a Florida airbase on a training mission. The 14 crewmembers expected to return by dinnertime, but they got lost. A search-and-rescue aircraft with a crew of 13 was sent to find them. It disappeared, too.

Ships and planes searched thousands of square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. But the 27 crewmembers and their planes were never found. The Navy's official report said it was "as if they had flown to Mars."

The mysterious event captured people's interest. It's just part of the headline-grabbing history of the Bermuda Triangle.

Multiple Choice

Click the image to enlarge.

Which answer best summarizes this section of the article?

• In 1945, five planes took off and searched the Bermuda triangle. This captured people's interest.

• In 1945, five planes disappeared in the Bermuda triangle. A search plane also disappeared. This captured people's interest.

• In 1945, planes in the Bermuda triangle flew to Mars. This captured people's interest.

Part Two

Where Is the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle is part of the Atlantic Ocean. But it isn't an officially recognized geographic area. Therefore, its exact size and location are unknown. Some say it covers about 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers). But others claim it's three times that size. Many people believe Bermuda is the triangle's northeast tip. They say it stretches south to Puerto Rico and west to Miami, Florida.

A History of Mystery?

The term Bermuda Triangle dates back to 1964. But strange stories have been told about this stretch of sea for hundreds of years. Christopher Columbus reported strange lights there in 1492. He reported odd compass readings, too. Experts say about 50 ships and 20 aircraft have gone missing there over the years. 

Poll

Think about your prediction.

"What is the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle"

Was it correct? Was it incorrect? Was it partially correct?

• My prediction was correct! :)

• My prediction was incorrect. :(

• My prediction was part right, part wrong. -_-

Multiple Choice

Think about the article. Which of these is true about the Bermuda Triangle?

Hint: Read the answer choices. Then, enlarge the pic. The answer is in this paragraph.

• It has had more disappearances than other parts of the Atlantic Ocean.

• It is not a very well-traveled part of the Atlantic Ocean.

• It is not part of an officially recognized geographic region.

• It has predictable and mostly calm weather patterns.

Part Three

The Search for Explanations

People have blamed the disappearances on curious causes. These range from wizardry to sea monsters. Others have suggested more scientific explanations. These include huge, unexpected waves. Or strange magnetic shifts that affect compasses.

The Truth about the Triangle

Scientists say the Bermuda Triangle doesn't deserve its deadly reputation. It's heavily traveled by ships and airplanes. And the area experiences sudden changes in weather and fierce tropical storms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has weighed in, too. It says mysterious disappearances at sea happen everywhere. There's nothing special about the Bermuda Triangle.

But people often don't let truth get in the way of a good story. Our love of mystery runs deep.

Multiple Choice

Which passage from the article best supports the idea that the Bermuda Triangle is not unusually dangerous?

Hint: Read the answer choices and enlarge the pic. The answer is in the paragraph.

• Scientists say the Bermuda Triangle doesn't deserve its deadly reputation.

• People have blamed the disappearances on curious causes.

• The mysterious event captured people's interest.

Multiple Choice

Click to enlarge the image.

Read the end of the paragraph.

Based on the article, which is most likely to happen?

• Ships and planes will no longer get lost in the Bermuda Triangle.

• People will stop reading stories about the Bermuda Triangle.

• People will continue to read stories about the Bermuda Triangle.

• Ships and planes will stop traveling through the Bermuda Triangle.