Coral reef Lesson Plans

Students create model coral reefs showing surface area and including examples of communities.  In this coral reef lesson, students research and explore the functions or benefits from a coral reef.  Students design a benthic habitat. Students calculate the surface area of various shapes.  Students will create a habitat that shows 400cm squared.

Students record changes in the composition of a coral reef.  In this Coral Reef instructional activity, students recognize the needs of Coral Reef species to survive.  Students chart changes in population over time. Students write an essay about factors affecting reefs. 

Students recognize and describe the organisms of the coral reef. In this coral reef activity, students explore the differences between fish and mammals. Students graph various whale sizes in a spreadsheet program. Students create scale model whales. Students read and explore a variety of sea creatures. Students create sea backgrounds for their animals.

Young scholars investigate the dangers Coral Reefs face by investigating satellite images.  In this environmental protection lesson, students utilize the Internet to discover the types of satellites and sensors used to provide oceanographic data.  Young scholars complete a several page oceanography vocabulary worksheet and crossword.

Young scholars research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. For this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an aquarium.

Students investigate data on coral reef monitoring in a marine protected area in the Florida keys. In this coral reef lesson plan, students use online data from a marine protected coral reef to complete a worksheet about coral monitoring. Students write a report answering given questions and develop an understanding of the characteristics of healthy coral reefs.

Students access data to characterize coral reefs. In this scientific research lesson, students access data and explain the need for such data when monitoring coral reefs. They will identify and explain three major threats to coral reefs.

Students describe a coral reef, how it is formed and its inhabitants. They explain the ecological and economic importance of coral reefs and discuss its present-day threats. Lesson contains adaptations for all levels.

Young scholars discuss reproduction in Cnidaria. in this coral reef lesson, students describe five characteristics of Cnidaria and compare and contrast the four classes. They describe the reproduction strategies they use. 

Students identify locations of coral reefs, both in the water and around the globe, identify relative depth of corals in the ocean by observing behavior of cold and warm saltwater, and create models of coral reefs.