Curated OER
Saved by a Shark
Middle schoolers explore the marine ecosystem and the importance of sharks. In this shark lesson, students look at photos of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and discuss the animals that live there. They discuss which...
Curated OER
Plant and Animal Cells
Students investigate parts of a cell. In this plant cell lesson, students determine the difference between plant and animal cells. Students discover that coral is an animal based on cell characteristics. Students create puppets to...
Florida International University
Counting FishStix
How do we count the fish in the ocean? An engaging lesson models how to estimate fish populations with observational surveys. Class members begin by studying the behavior of fish on the coral reef in the oceans. They...
NOAA
History's Thermometers
How is sea coral like a thermometer? Part three of a six-part series from NOAA describes how oceanographers can use coral growth to estimate water temperature over time. Life science pupils manipulate data to determine the age of corals...
NOAA
Importance of Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Chemists with No Backbones
Marine invertebrates offer us many new options for developing pharmaceutical drugs, such as w-conotoxin MVIIA, which is extracted from the cone snail and is a potent painkiller. The activity encourages scholars to research various types...
NOAA
Exploring Potential Human Impacts
Arctic sea ice reflects 80 percent of sunlight, striking it back into space; with sea ice melting, the world's oceans become warmer, which furthers global warming. These activities explore how humans are impacting ecosystems around the...
Curated OER
Blue Planet: Seas of Life
Pupils study coral reefs and marine communities. In this investigative lesson students get into groups and are assigned a subject. In their groups they create a poster about their assigned topic.
Curated OER
Easy as Pi
Students describe the importance of structural features that increase surface area in a coral reef habitat. In this investigative lesson students quantify the impact of modifications on surface area in model habitats.
Curated OER
Into the Sea
Students display an awareness of the diversity of species in the coral reef, their habitat and adaptations. They conduct research to find and then color code the locations of coral reefs around the world.
Curated OER
Do Fish Clean the Ocean?
Students analyze a reading selection. In this ocean lesson plan, students read a story about the ocean, ocean animals and coral reefs. Students have the option to complete internet research on coral reefs. Students write in their...
Curated OER
Science: Coral Reef Food Pyramid
Students construct numbers pyramids using fictional data from a coral reef. they tally the numbers of carnivores, herbivores, and producers. Students next build a pyramid shape in which they put their numbers of producers, herbivores,...
Curated OER
Do Not Bleach!
Learners explore the importance of protecting the coral reefs. In this Oceanography lesson, student examine how coral reefs benefit humans, identify major threats to the reefs, and discuss actions to reduce these threats.
Curated OER
Locating Reefs in Trouble
In this science worksheet, students research where coral reefs are located and which ones are in danger. Students complete a graphic organizer to help organize their information.
California Academy of Science
Colorful Fish Adaptations
I love lessons that incorporate the arts, they're so engaging and address a more diverse set of learners. Your class will investigate the reasons fish from the coal reef have adapted such colorful fins. They design a fish that uses color...
Curated OER
Coral Reef Community Drama: Scene Description
Students are organized into groups and are assigned puppets according to what sea creature their group represents. In this reef lesson, students identify sea creatures according to their place in the food chain then discuss how these...
Curated OER
Comparing Habitats: Ocean and Rainforest
In this habitat worksheet, students will draw a Venn diagram and compare a rainforest habitat with a coral reef habitat. Students will follow step by step directions to complete the activity.
Curated OER
Lesson #6: Sea Surface Temperature and Coral Bleaching
Fifth graders examine the concept of coral bleaching and sea surface temperature. They view a teacher demonstration, interpret sea surface temperature data, explore a website, and complete worksheets.
Curated OER
Learning Scientific Coral Terminology
Students explore properties of coral. In this scientific observation instructional activity, students investigate properties and characteristics of coral. Students write statements describing the coral using observation words.
Curated OER
Lesson #5: Symbiosis and Coral Anatomy
Fifth graders examine the basic structure of corals and the concept of symbiosis. They watch a Powerpoint Presentation, develop an original pair of organisms living symbiotically, and create an edible model of a coral polyp.
Curated OER
Seals, Corals, and Dollars...
Students explore the interdependence of animals and their habitat. In this Hawaiian ecology lesson, students work in groups to research the necessity of preserving precious coral as a habitat for monk seals. Students prepare...
Curated OER
Coral Mania
Students examine deep-sea coral. In this coral lesson plan, students identify the structure and function of a coral polyp. Students then create a model of a coral polyp.
Curated OER
Alien Invasion
Learners research how alien species can change an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson, students describe invasive species and site evidence how these species came to be invasive and what control measures are possible.
Curated OER
Meet the Corals
Students investigate the types of coral. For this oceanography lesson, students access the Fisheye View Cam Website and create their own coral garden by using various art supplies.
Curated OER
Feeding in the Flow
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a tremendous library of ocean-themed lessons that can be used in a variety of science settings. "Feeding in the Flow" is one of those activities; Its focus is on...