Coral Reef in a Box

• This lesson plan and activity teaches students about coral reefs and how they are being damaged by climate change. 
• Students will make a coral reef diorama in a shoebox. 
• The resource includes links to a number of easy-to-understand articles on ocean acidification and coral bleaching. 

Positives

• The student handout contains a variety of colorful marine life images for students to cut out and glue into their coral reef.
• Students will learn how humans are destroying coral reefs when they release greenhouse gases into the air.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• The student handout does not include any photographs of coral, so teachers may wish to have a few images of coral reefs ready to show the students.
  

Differentiation

• Older students could make a dual diorama with one half of the box representing a healthy coral reef and one half of the box representing a bleached coral reef. Students could write a few sentences to describe the two scenes.
• Art classes could modify this activity to make it a sculpting project. Each student could sculpt a piece of coral and then the corals could be collectively arranged into a reef. The coral reef and a brief description of the dangers they face due to climate change could be displayed in the school.
• Other resources on this topic include this engaging video on coral bleaching, this interactive storybook about biodiversity in Australia, and this video on ocean acidification.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.