Coral Reef Interactions
aligned to Ngss Ms-ls2-4
Learning Objective
I can describe how living and non-living things interact in a coral reef ecosystem.
Lesson Flow
Watch Video
Constructing a Coral Reef: How Plants and Animals Create Coral Reef Ecosystems
Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
Guided Notes
Key concepts students will learn:
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Stony corals create the foundation of the reef by forming stone skeletons from calcium carbonate.
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Soft corals and sponges attach to the hard surfaces created by stony corals, adding complexity and color to the reef.
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Herbivorous and corallivorous fish help maintain the reef's structure by eating algae and coral.
Practice
9 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
“Describe one way that stony coral, a living thing, interacts with calcium carbonate, a non-living thing, in a coral reef ecosystem.”
Teacher Guide
Get the complete package:
- Answer keys for all questions
- Differentiation strategies
- Extension activities
- Printable student handouts
