Coral bleaching: Making our oceans whiter
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g68/bowercoral.html
A lesson plan for grades 6 and 8 Science
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In this lesson from Xpeditions, students will learn what coral reefs are and about the different types of reefs, the ecology surrounding these biological playgrounds, and the human impact on them. Additionally, this lesson will provide an opportunity for students to debate whether human contact should be impeded around coral reefs, a constructive approach for defending controversial environmental issues.
Students will:
- understand what coral reefs are, where they are located, and how humans impact their future;
- build writing skills and search the internet for relevant information; and
- gather the knowledge to critically reason and debate issues about coral reef issues.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 6
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Goal 7: The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.
- Objective 7.03: Explain how changes in habitat may affect organisms.
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Describe strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and/or data.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the hydrosphere.
- Objective 3.03: Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms:
- Estuaries.
- Marine ecosystems.
- Upwelling.
- Behavior of gases in the marine environment.
- Value and sustainability of marine resources.
- Deep ocean technology and understandings gained.
- Objective 3.03: Evaluate evidence that Earth's oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms:
