Coral Reef Interactions
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Objective
I can describe how living and non-living things interact in a coral reef ecosystem.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History · 6:19
We don't generate video — this one is by Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Stony corals create the foundation of the reef by forming stone skeletons from calcium carbonate.
- 2
Soft corals and sponges attach to the hard surfaces created by stony corals, adding complexity and color to the reef.
- 3
Herbivorous and corallivorous fish help maintain the reef's structure by eating algae and coral.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
9 questions
What is the foundational structure of a coral reef primarily built by?
Describe how coral polyps contribute to the growth of a coral reef.
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Describe one way that stony coral, a living thing, interacts with calcium carbonate, a non-living thing, in a coral reef ecosystem.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
Get the materials
Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format
Teacher Guide
Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities
Student Handout
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