The Magic of Coral Secondary Lesson Plan
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Biology
Authors: UCI Science Project, The Ocean Agency
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson plan and materials from UCI Science Project include everything needed to deliver a highly engaging and important lesson about coral bleaching.
- Students will learn through inquiry, reflect on how humans impact coral ecosystems, and cultivate awareness with a culminating art installation.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The materials that accompany this lesson are beautifully designed and well researched.
- The teacher notes that accompany each slide are thorough and will help teachers deliver an engaging learning experience.
- This lesson can take one session, but there are plenty of optional additional materials that will extend learning.
Prerequisites
- Students would benefit from understanding scientific vocabulary terms such as carbon emissions, carbon footprint, polyp, and zooxanthellae.
- For the optional extension, teachers will need to locate a space to display the art installation and materials for the artwork.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Cross-curricular connections can be made for this resource in a language arts classroom where students use their learning to create persuasive writing, speeches, or public service announcements to persuade their audience to pledge to make a change that will benefit coral and mitigate coral bleaching.
- Teachers can project the infographic onto a whiteboard and have students mark it up with reactions using dry erase markers to show what aspects of the piece are most meaningful, surprising, or exciting to them.
- Other related resources include this interactive video about coral bleaching, this lab unit on coral, and this activity where students can interpret data about coral resistance to bleaching.
Corals appear to be the "rainforest" of the sea. The impact of corals on the marine ecosystem is enormous and it is worth exploring. Students will be excited to learn about the roles humans can play in restoring coral reefs in our marine ecosystem. This resource is suitable for the classroom.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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