Reef Teacher Resources

In this habitats activity, students view and discuss four slides with four different habitats found in the rain forest, desert, ocean/coral reef and in the Savannah/grasslands. Students color each slide with vibrant colors.

Students research how alien species can change an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson plan, students describe invasive species and site evidence how these species came to be invasive and what control measures are possible.

How is climate change affecting the coral reefs? Advanced French speakers read a half-page text about climate change and what it means for coral reefs. Then, following the reading, they complete a vocabulary activity and discuss the...

A very informative interactive presents ocean zones, estuaries, hot water vents, phytoplankton, coral reefs, sea turtles, kelp forests, and all things that thrive in the ocean.

Ten eye-catching fish swim around a captivating coral reef in a music video designed to reinforce counting by one. 

Many pupils associate biodiversity with the rain forest or coral reefs, but there is so much more to learn. Join a virtual field trip into a pharmacy to explore the importance of biodiversity in all forms. The second video in a four-part...

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...

Young scholars estimate geographic position based on speed and air travel.  In GPS lesson students use GPS to estimate the set and drift of currents. 

Students explore how a side-scan sonar can help locate underwater objects.  In this hands- on lesson students compare side-scan sonar and other methods used to search for underwater objects by creating their own "simulation" of a...

Students brainstorm a list of environments and animals from around the world that need protection. They then design and create a slogan about an animal or environment and an environmental protection poster.

Students list characteristics and features of animals found in their community. They then group the animals according to how they are similar and different and create names for each group. They then create a chart of their...

Young scholars develop a Taxonomic Key for marine invertebrates from pictures they are given after practicing together with common objects, such as shoes. They then compare their key to a provided Ocean Invertebrates Taxonomic Key.

Students explore corals and polyps.  For this coral reef lesson students divide into groups and prepare a written report. 

Students describe eight stages in the formation of islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. They examine the movement of tectonic plates in the Hawaiian archipelago region, and describe how plate movement produced the Hawaiian archipelago.

Studying the oceans? Focus on Hawaii's ocean with a resource packed with activity-based worksheets. Everything from products that come from the ocean to the abundance of plants and animals that call the ocean their home, Hawaii's ocean...

Global warming isn't just an issue on land; deep ocean waters are also showing troubling signs. Young scientists learn more about deep water corals and the many recent discoveries researchers have made. Then they examine data related to...

Cnidaria is a broad phylum of 11,000 different species from jellyfish to coral. Most Cnidarians are marine species with a few freshwater examples. A lesson presentation explains the important characteristics of different species of...

Make connections between ocean organisms. Individuals explore three different ecosystems in the ocean. With an online interactive, they learn how different organisms depend upon each other. Learners first answer questions to connect...

Students investigate the many varieties of both tropical and freshwater fish, and find out about the anatomy of these creatures. They explore biodiversity in bodies of water, including information about coral reefs, and study the effects...

Novelly written questions are perfect for a novel study guide unit on The Cay. The well-rounded resource contains an anticipation guide for scholars to complete before reading, a variety of questions per chapter of the book, and a post...

Most drugs used today come from nature, so the discovery of new ecosystems in the deep sea is exciting from a medical perspective. Scholars develop their own bioassay to test germination rates in seeds. 

How many simple machines does it take to make a robotic arm? An inquiry-based lesson explores that topic and challenges pupils to build a robotic arm that can stretch, turn, and more. A few questions help guide them in the...

Students examine the different types of barrier reefs and how they are formed.  In this barrier reef lesson students complete several activities on coral reefs.

Students discuss what they know about coral reefs and are introduced to the importance of preserving coral reefs. In this coral reef instructional activity, students make connections between coral ecology in the classroom and in the real...