Resistance to Coral Bleaching

Lesson Plans

Grades9, 10, 11, 12Biology

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by BioInteractive

Open Resource

What it is

In this activity from BioInteractive, students interpret and analyze data presented in a bar graph from a study that investigated the potential for corals to become more resistant to bleaching.
It demonstrates how the increase in temperature affects coral reefs and if they might be able to cope with this change.

Teaching tips

Positives

This resource includes the "Interpreting the Figures" and "Discussion Questions" sections that can be used to enhance students' critical thinking and interpretive skills.
The "Educator Materials" document contains labeled illustrations, background information, interpretation of the illustrations, and discussion questions.
Students learn how to analyze data from a scientific figure.

Prerequisites

The teacher must download PDFs of the educator materials and the student handout.
The resource includes a JPG available for the graph.
Teachers can find the materials in Spanish.

Differentiation & Implementation

Support group (below level): The teacher could lead the discussion and help students develop observations and interpretations.
Extension group (above level): Students may be asked to research the relationship between the temperature of the water and the extent of coral bleaching.
The teacher could ask students to complete a project in which they describe how coral reefs benefit humans and other organisms and explain coral bleaching and its impacts.
Other recommended resources include Coral Reefs Are Dying. Here's How We Can Save Them. and Changing Planet: Fading Corals.

From the scientist review

This resource examines changes in coral colony and distribution as a result of temperature changes. It is a good method to test the impact of climate change on coral reefs. This is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Biology
Other types: Data, Graphs, and Maps, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English, Spanish
Location: Earth
Provider: BioInteractive
Authors: BioInteractive
Published: October 15, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · HS-LS2-7. + 6 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

HS-LS2-7.HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-4.HS-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.A.3CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.A.3 Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets, accounting for possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.IC.A.1 Understand statistics as a process for making inferences about population parameters based on a random sample from that population.
HS-LS4-D.1.HS-LS4-D.1. Biodiversity is increased by the formation of new species (speciation) and decreased by the loss of species (extinction). (secondary to HS-LS2-7)

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