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Lesson Plans

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Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. Students will learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Site and create a drawing depicting life in the reef.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students research the Great Barrier Reef, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest single structure made by living organisms. It is visible to the naked eye from space. Where is it located? How large is it? What organisms comprise its makeup? What are some of the species that live there? What are some of the threats to its health?

  • Step 2

    Ask students to choose plant or animal species they explored that live on or around the reef and depict them in an oil pastel drawing.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their drawings to the class, describe the species they depicted, and discuss some facts they learned about them.

Standards

SCI: Describe what living organisms have in common (eating, breathing, growing, and reproducing) and distinguish them from non-living things. 

SCI: Use evidence to support the concept that behaviors can be influenced by the environment and the environment is impacted by behavior. 

Adaptations

Have students learn about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, considered the Traditional Owners in the protection of the Great Barrier Reef. What is the Traditional Owner plan? What is the connection of these peoples to the reef?

Have students research some of the endangered species of the Great Barrier Reef and learn about what is being done and what can be done to help them.