Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Smithsonian Education presents Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students explore two marine ecosystems, the coral reefs...
Website
BBC

Bbc Future: Week of 1 14 13: Will We Ever Lose All of Our Coral Reefs?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article describes how climate change is impacting coral reefs around the world. Includes many photographs of coral reefs.
Unit Plan
The Wild Classroom

The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Coral Reef Biome

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the coral reef ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Coral Reef Fish Survey Simulation

For Students 3rd - 5th
Students will learn surveying methods for an ecosystem through a short video. The video focuses on exploring the number and types of fish and the health of the coral reef ecosystem. Site includes a lesson plan and activity worksheet.
Lesson Plan
Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy: Coral Reefs of Palau: Nature's Amazing Underwater Cities

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson takes students on a virtual field trip to the coral reefs of Palau where they will explore amazing underwater cities found near a remote network of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Learn all about an ecosystem of symbiosis....
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Global Warming Takes a Toll on Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Article describing damage caused to coral reefs in the Caribbean after an extended period of extreme heat in 2005 that raised the ocean temperature in that area. The potential, devastating consequences to humans of coral reef destruction...
Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Coral Reefs Under Stress

For Students 9th - 10th
Coral reefs, home to many vibrant plants and animals, are suffering from the affects of climate change and the increase of acid in ocean waters. Delve into the benefits and concerns of these beautiful ecosystems.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Portal: Corals and Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about corals and the importance of coral reefs to ocean ecosystems. Find out how reefs are created, what threats they face, and what kinds of conservation tactics are being used to protect and preserve them.
Unit Plan
Center for Educational Technologies

Nasa Classroom of the Future: Coral Reefs: Dissappearing Resource

For Students 9th - 10th
Why are the reefs disappearing? Use this site to explore the science behind the issue. Useful at several grade levels.
Handout
Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden: Tropical Oceans: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting site about coral reefs. It explores where the reefs are found, what the reefs are, animals that live in the reefs, and preservation of the reefs.
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Keeping Watch on Coral Reefs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students read coral reef tutorials, describe the role of satellites, analyze oceanographic data, and identify actions to reduce threats to these fragile ecosystems. Their goal is to ultimately produce a public education program about...
Article
NOAA

Noaa: Fisheries: Coral Reefs and the Endangered Species Act [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore a comprehensive petition regarding the legal preservation of coral reefs and learn how the U.S. Endangered Species Act works to protect the reefs. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).
eBook
NOAA

Noaa: International Year of the Ocean: Pacific Coral Reef

For Students 3rd - 8th
"This [online] coral book was created to provide the reader with an introduction to the Pacific's fascinating coral reef ecosystem." The resource is for young students learning about life under the sea. Translated in English, Hawaiian...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Coral Reef Goes Digital

For Students 3rd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about sensors placed in Australia's Great Barrier Reef to record changes in the ocean. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
US Navy

Office of Naval Research: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Characteristics, location/reef life, humans, and the environment are the topics explored in this competent site. A quick quiz can be found at the end of the text.
Website
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Bringing the Ocean to the Classroom

For Students 9th - 10th
Online resource for students and teachers to see information on icebergs, fisheries, coral reefs, waves, currents and more. Provides teachers with learning activities. Has its own ask-an-expert site (Ask Dr. Bob), and provides real-time...
Unit Plan
NOAA

Noaa: Ocean Service Education: Corals

For Students 9th - 10th
This Coral Tutorial is an excellent resource with diagrams, pictures, animations and short videos. All aspects of coral biology are discussed. As an added benefit, pdf versions of the site are available along with a subject review...
Activity
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Did you know that coral is actually an animal? This site uncovers information on these sea creatures as well as provides links to other coral reef sites.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: About Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about coral reefs.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Portal, You Navigate

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Delight in the fresh colors, sights, and sounds on this dynamic site on the ocean. Major categories consist of Ocean Life & Ecosystems, The Ocean Over Time, Ocean Science, and The Ocean and You. New information on sharks, a slideshow...
Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Ocean World

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A link to a website with information about the ocean. Learn about ocean processes, oceanography, physical oceanography, and get real-time ocean data. Site contains college-level and beyond textbook as well as teaching materials.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Earthlabs: Corals Unit Overview

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Six lab investigations on corals expose students to some of the most current scientific research, data, and visualizations in a way that allows them to become active participants in both learning about and conserving coral reefs.
Unit Plan
Tramline

Tramline, Inc.: Virtual Ocean Field Trip

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this enchanting site, students will learn basic principles about oceans and will be introduced to an assortment of sea life, both plant and animal. Other interesting ocean links can be found on the teacher resource section of this link.
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: Understanding Ocean Acidification

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The following is a series of 5 activities regarding ocean acidifcation Students will learn about rising Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, climate change, ocean reefs, marine calcifers and ocean pH.