Coral Reefs

Coral Reef Ecosystems

Content:

• Describes the characteristics of these unique coastal ecosystems including their location, factors affecting formation and an introduction to polyps.
• A description of the formation of fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls supported with diagrams and key terminology.
• An overview of the threats and opportunities provided by coral reefs.
• A case study of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Each resource includes:

• Worksheet with activities.
• Teacher PowerPoint with diagrams and answer key provided directly onto the slides or in notes section of each slide.
• Activate- a starter, an introduction, a stimulus.
• Content- The Geographical knowledge- supported by short activities, images, graphs, diagrams.
• Review- a plenary, recall activity, AFL, knowledge check.
• Useful links- to video clips, websites etc.

What’s included:

A word document worksheet that includes activities that introduce key terminology, helps students to locate coral reefs at a global scale, identify the key characteristics of the different types of reef, consider their importance, threats and management. Including a case study of the Great Barrier Reef

The word document is 12 pages. The word document is provided in colour and grayscale.

This worksheet is also provided as a PDF.

A PowerPoint version of diagrams and answers

The PowerPoint is 34 slides

How I use this resource :

• In class activity- I use this resource to efficiently and accurately teach the subject knowledge. I then get creative to consolidate the learning. I’ve found that the resources help to free up time for application and higher order thinking skills.

• Pre-class flipped learning- The majority of students should be able to access the learning in the resource without teacher support. Why not set this as pre-learning so that students can start a lesson from a position of confidence?

• Post class homework and consolidation- Likewise, the resources could be used to consolidate on in-class teacher instruction.

• To support EAL students- the resources are supported by structured sentences and key vocabulary.

• To support students who benefit from short, structured activities.

• The resource is aimed at students aged 14-16 although it could be suitable for younger/older.

• The resources focus on comprehension of key knowledge and processes. They include a mixture of activities including gap fills, definitions, diagrams and questions.

Each worksheet is supported with a PowerPoint that can be displayed in class and includes possible answers.