What is a Coral Reef?

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Veronica McKee

Coral Reef

Introduction

After being introduced to a coral reef environment, students will create their own mural of the living things in a coral reef. They will use what they have learned from the videos we have watched, as well as the books we have read in class. We will share our reef with the other class, each telling about our favorite part of the coral reef.

Materials

paper plates (large and small), craft sticks, dot paint, crayons, markers, googly eyes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, shredded construction paper, glue sticks, tape, scissors, pipe cleaners, stapler, index cards

Activity

Students will choose from the available materials to create 1-2 replicas of living things found in a coral reef environment. Living things will be colored and put on display in a classroom mural.

Advanced Preparation

*Collect all necessary materials and organize for students
*Create (or purchase) a coral reef background (40 ft. Coral Reef Room Roll available at Party City for $19.99)

Directions

To make a fish, students will need to:
*Cut out a wedge for a mouth, then staple or glue the wedge at the opposite end as a tail
*Color the fish and add eyes
*Put the fish onto the mural in the appropriate location in a reef (purchased and hung up ahead of time)

To make the coral, students will need to:
*Choose 2-3 craft sticks and glue together
*Paint the coral
*Put the coral onto the mural in the appropriate location in a reef

To make a sea anemone, students will need to:
*Choose shredded construction paper and glue on to index card
*Put the sea anemone onto the mural in the appropriate location in a reef

To make an octopus or squid, students will need to:
*Choose a toilet paper/paper towel roll and cut slits in the bottom (for tentacles)
*Paint the octopus or squid and add eyes
*Attach to the mural in the appropriate location in a reef