We are excited to add to our series of natural habitats, The Coral Reef materials. The Coral Reef materials break down the parts of a coral reef to let children appreciate the beauty and benefits of such a natural habitat and reveal its vulnerability to neglect and damage. Learners will be able to distinguish the parts of a coral reef and understand its growth based on environmental characteristics.
Australia and Indonesia host some of the most abundant coral reefs, which average 50,000 km square. Scientists believe that the coral reef is at significant risk of disappearing in the following decades due to the rise in oceanic temperatures, pollution, acidification, and other environmental factors. Learning about the layout of a coral reef may help children understand its vital role. Coral reefs are homes to millions of marine life, which sustain food webs and biodiversity. They also serve as natural coastline barriers. Coral reefs serve as buffers against waves, storms, and floods. There are three main types of coral reefs: fringing, atoll, and barrier reef. Each reef can be divided into parts which are defined based on location, and abiotic and biotic factors such as temperature, water composition, and exposure to light. These factors greatly influence the coral reef population.
Materials
- Parts of a Coral Reef Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards 3-6
- Parts of a Coral Reef Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards 6-9
- Parts of a Coral Reef Puzzle
- Parts of a Coral Reef (Nomenclature Cards) (3-6)
- Parts of a Coral Reef (Nomenclature Cards) (6-9)
Our new puzzle, Parts of a Coral Reef features seven parts of a typical coral reef: beach, lagoon, back reef, reef crest, fore reef, bank or shelf, and escarpment. Learners are familiar with the beach and perhaps the term lagoon, which is a good starting. You may explain that it exists two types of lagoons, atoll and coastal lagoons. Print large pictures of different lagoons to share with your learners. The back reef is located in the shallow parts of a lagoon and hosts small corals. The reef crest is the highest elevated part of a coral reef; due to greater exposure to air, light, and waves, the reef crest is the least populated part of the coral reef. The fore reef and bank are the most abundant location in a coral reef. A greater diversity of organisms thrive mostly because the fore reef isn’t affected by disturbing factors such as freshwater runoffs and sediment. Finally, the furthest part from the shore is the escarpment which consists of a vertical slope exceeding 45 degrees of inclination and reaching deep oceanic depth. No coral thrives in this area as light is not abundant.
How to Organize the Materials
Our science materials are organized following the same pattern: a wooden puzzle with wooden labels, control charts, reproducible materials, and 6-part nomenclature cards. This pattern makes it possible for your learners to work more effectively and more efficiently as they are already familiar with the layout of the materials. Also, note that our graphics are hand-drawn and realistic which respect the nature of an elementary child. We provide graphics are leave room for imagination and also that do not affix specific details to their minds, leaving them the flexibility to explore a variety of coral reefs. As a guide, you want to introduce the topic using the wooden puzzle in conjunction with the nomenclature booklet which contains the descriptions for each part. Once your learners have been familiarized with the different parts of a coral reef, you may advise them on how to expand their study. They may choose to re-read the descriptions in the booklet and test their knowledge using the nomenclature cards, color and label a copy of the blackline master chart, fill out their copy of the booklet, reconstruct the puzzle and label it, or research specific parts of a coral reef.
The coral reef is a rich topic that will allow your learners to use their prior knowledge of invertebrate animals and geographic features and locations. We hope you utilize this material with your primary learners as well! Check out our primary (3-6) version of this product.
For more high-quality Montessori materials, please visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
