1. Coral Reefs Lesson By: Sofia Correia 8D Let’s learn something about them!

2. What are coral reefs? Coral reefs are warm, clear, shallow ocean habitats that are full of life! They Develop in shallow, warm water, usually near land, and mostly in the tropics.

3. Coral reefs form some of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. They occupy less than 1% of the world ocean surface, about half the area of France, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species, including fishes, molluscs, echinoderms and sponges.

4. There are coral reefs… off the eastern coast of Africa off the eastern coast of Africa off the southern coast of India off the southern coast of India in the Red Sea in the Red Sea off the coasts of northeast and northwest Australia and on to Polynesia off the coasts of northeast and northwest Australia and on to Polynesia off the coast of Florida,USA, to the Caribbean, and down to Brazil. off the coast of Florida,USA, to the Caribbean, and down to Brazil.

5. Types of Corals There are two types of coral: hard coral and soft coral. Hard corals (eg. like brain coral and elkhorn coral) have hard, limestone skeletons which form the basis of coral reefs. Soft corals (like sea fingers and sea whips) do not build reefs.

6. Types of Reef Fringing reefs are reefs that form along a coastline. They grow on the continental shelf in shallow water. Fringing reefs are reefs that form along a coastline. They grow on the continental shelf in shallow water. Barrier reefs grow parallel to shorelines, but farther out, usually separated from the land by a deep lagoon. Form a barrier between the lagoon and the seas. Barrier reefs grow parallel to shorelines, but farther out, usually separated from the land by a deep lagoon. Form a barrier between the lagoon and the seas. Coral Atolls are rings of coral that grow on top of old, sunken volcanoes in the ocean. They begin as fringe reefs surrounding a volcanic island; then, as the volcano sinks, the reef continues to grow, and eventually only the reef remains. Coral Atolls are rings of coral that grow on top of old, sunken volcanoes in the ocean. They begin as fringe reefs surrounding a volcanic island; then, as the volcano sinks, the reef continues to grow, and eventually only the reef remains.

7. Fish Fish live in the water and breathe with gills. Many fish are found in coral reefs. Fish live in the water and breathe with gills. Many fish are found in coral reefs.

8. Sea Urchin A spiny, globular animal that lives on the ocean floor. A spiny, globular animal that lives on the ocean floor.

9. Ray Rays are flat fish with no bones, only cartilage. Many rays live in coral reefs. Rays are flat fish with no bones, only cartilage. Many rays live in coral reefs.

10. Jellyfish Jellyfish are animals that have stinging tentacles. Jellyfish are animals that have stinging tentacles.

11. Let´s summarise everything we have learnt! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbN161yBBGA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbN161yBBGA

12. Tasks Lets do some Drama!- Act out in groups of 4. Each one choose one animal that lives in coral reefs. Make up a short (1 minute). At the end, show it to the rest of the class! Draw a coral reef on an A4 paper. Colour it in, and then give it to me. Do the best you can! With some plasticine, make your favourite animal (one that lives in the coral reef). The play with your animal and your friend’s animals in groups of 4!

13. See you next lesson! See you next lesson!