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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Coastal Ecosystems

For Students 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to the various marine environments, their unique formations, origin and identifying characteristics.
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Dive Into Worlds Within the Sea

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about three different marine ecosystems: coral reefs, the continental shelf, and the deep sea. Interactive game included, which will help players chart the interrelationships among organisms that live in each ecosystem.
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Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Ocean World

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A link to a website with information about the ocean. Learn about ocean processes, oceanography, physical oceanography, and get real-time ocean data. Site contains college-level and beyond textbook as well as teaching materials.
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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Smithsonian Education presents Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students explore two marine ecosystems, the coral reefs...
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Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Coral Reefs Under Stress

For Students 9th - 10th
Coral reefs, home to many vibrant plants and animals, are suffering from the affects of climate change and the increase of acid in ocean waters. Delve into the benefits and concerns of these beautiful ecosystems.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Coral Reef

For Students 9th - 10th
Article discussing what a coral reef is, different types, reef biodiversity, and threats to their survival.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Global Warming Takes a Toll on Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Article describing damage caused to coral reefs in the Caribbean after an extended period of extreme heat in 2005 that raised the ocean temperature in that area. The potential, devastating consequences to humans of coral reef destruction...
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Handout
University of California

Ucmp: The World's Biomes

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an introduction to the major biomes on Earth. This page groups biomes into five major types: aquatic, deserts, forests, grasslands, and tundra. Information on climate, animal/plant life, and much more is given for each of type...
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Interactive
PBS

Nova: Build an Island

For Students 9th - 10th
Trace the development of a type of coral reef known as an atoll. A series of animations show you how an atoll can develop from a volcanic island.
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Website
Other

Reef Relief

For Students 9th - 10th
Reef Relief is a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and protect living coral ecosystems. Learn more about coral and why it needs to be saved.
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Website
Other

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

For Students 9th - 10th
Your connection to everything related to the Great Barrier Reef. Read the latest news and updates, such as media releases and letters to the editor. View maps that show fishing and boating, tourist spots, and the reef itself.
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Website
Other

The Coral Reef Alliance: Coral Reef Overview

For Students 9th - 10th
How is a coral reef constructed? How do coral polyps eat? What do corals need to survive? These are just a sampling of the many questions answered on this informative site. This site provides an easily understood primer on coral reefs.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Paleobiology: The Silurian Period

For Students 9th - 10th
Journey into the past while reading this comprehensive overview of the Silurian Period that covers topics such as life in the seas, invasion of land, fossil evidence, and climate and geology.
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Graphic
National Geographic

National Geographic: Coral Reef Food Web

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the food web in a coral reef with these illustration. Identify the consumers, producers, and decomposers that are located within this ecosystem. Site includes illustration exploring the different food chains as well as questions...
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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Coral Reef Fish Survey Simulation

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students will learn surveying methods for an ecosystem through a short video. The video focuses on exploring the number and types of fish and the health of the coral reef ecosystem. Site includes a lesson plan and activity worksheet.
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Handout
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Blue Whale (Balenoptera Musculus)

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource that gives information on the diet, range, relatives of the blue whale. Conservation notes and cool facts are also included. There are links to similar information on dozens of other types of marine life.
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Lesson Plan
Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy: Coral Reefs of Palau: Nature's Amazing Underwater Cities

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This instructional activity takes young scholars on a virtual field trip to the coral reefs of Palau where they will explore amazing underwater cities found near a remote network of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Learn all about an...
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Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Lab 1: Coral Reefs: The Human View

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lab experiment in a series of experiments that investigates coral. During this lab, students will experience coral reefs by watching the IMAX film Coral Reef Adventure. After watching the movie, students will examine coral and its...
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Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Lab 5: Trouble in Paradise: Factors That Impact Coral Health

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the status of coral reefs around the world using an online geographic information system (GIS). They also investigate some of the major factors that disrupt corals-watersheds, exploitive fishing, coastal development, and...
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Article
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Climate Action Benefits: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive look at coral reefs, this article shares information about coral reefs and the conservation initiatives that are in effect.
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Website
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Bringing the Ocean to the Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
Online resource for students and teachers to see information on icebergs, fisheries, coral reefs, waves, currents and more. Provides teachers with learning activities. Has its own ask-an-expert site (Ask Dr. Bob), and provides real-time...
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Handout
BBC

Bbc Nature: Wildlife: Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about the world of reefs by discovering what lives there and where you can find them through pictures, sounds, news, descriptions, and external links.
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Website
BBC

Bbc Future: Week of 1 14 13: Will We Ever Lose All of Our Coral Reefs?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article describes how climate change is impacting coral reefs around the world. Includes many photographs of coral reefs.
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Website
NOAA

Noaa: Florida Keys: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
This effective site provides interesting information on the third largest coral reef system in the world. Physical requirements needed for coral reefs to survive are included in this site. Growth and Reproduction, coral reef types, and...