1. 1)2)3)4) Marlin: How was school today Nemo? Nemo: It was fun! Tomorrow we are learning about the coral reef! Marlin: Maybe I should step in for Mr. Ray tomorrow, I happen to know a little bit about the coral reef. Nemo: (haha) You do? Marlin: Yes, as a matter of fact Nemo, we live on a coral reef. Nemo: Really? I thought we lived in an anemone. Marlin: We do, and along with the anemone there are a lot of different species that live on the coral reef. Nemo: Like Pearl, Sheldon, and Tad? Marlin: Yes exactly. Let’s explore our coral reef,Nemo, and see what we can find. Nemo: Okay Dad!

2. 5)6)7)8) Marlin: Did you know that we live on the Great barrier reef which is the largest coral reef in the world? We are located right off of the North East coast of Australia. Nemo: Wowwwww Dory: P SHERMAN 42 WALLABY WAY SYDNEY! Nemo: Hi dory! Dory: Oh hi Bingo. What are you doing? Marlin: It’s Nemo. Dory: Oh, sorry. Nemo: My dad is showing me around our coral reef. Did you know that we live on the biggest coral reef in the world? Dory: Wowwwww. That is amazing. Can I explore with you? Marlin: Yes Dory. Now let’s hurry along. There’s so much to explore in our own backyard. Dory: Ai yi captain!

3. 9)10)11)12) Marlin: Now Nemo, even though clown fish live in the anemone, the coral on the coral reef provides shelter for many of the animals who are living here. It can also protect a fish from any unwanted predators who come on the reef. Nemo: What are predators? Marlin: Predators are types of animals that eat other animals. That is why I always want you to be safe. Nemo: (sighs) I know. Dory: Am I a predator? Marlin: No Dory, you are not. Dory: Awwwww Marlin: I wouldn’t say that is a bad thing. Bruce: Helloooooo Marlin: (gulp) Bruce: I was just stopping by to pick up Dory for week 7s meeting. Dory: See you later guys! Have fun exploring the reef! Bruce: And remember, fish are friends… Bruce and Dory: NOT FOOD.

4. 13)14)15)16) Marlin: See Nemo, Sharks like Bruce are usually predators. They eat other animals and are a threat to the fish on our coral reef. Nemo: But Bruce is okay. Marlin: uhh…yeah. Anyway, let’s keep going. Marlin: There are three types of reefs. They are called fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and coral atolls. Fringing reefs are reefs that form in shallow water near a coastline of land. Marlin: Coral atolls are grown on top of underwater volcanoes. Marlin: Barrier reefs form a barrier between the lagoon and the seas and. We live on a barrier reef because our reef separates the shallow water from the gigantic sea.

5. 17)18)19)20) Nemo: Cool! Is that why so many different kinds of animals live on the coral reef? Marlin: Yes Nemo! The coral reef is the most biodiverse ecosystem on Earth. There are angel sharks, the blue ring octopus, the brittle star, blowfish… Nemo: Like Bloat! Marlin: Yes, like Bloat… Marlin: There are crabs Marlin: There are jellyfish

6. 21)22)23)24) Marlin: And there are krill. Nemo: Don’t whale’s eat krill? Marlin: Yes, and so whale’s are predators to krill… There are also sting rays. Nemo: Like Mr. Ray! Marlin: Exactly. And by the way, let him know that I will come in and teach the class tomorrow. Nemo: Haha…not funny dad. Marlin: Well anyway, I bet Mr. Ray does not know this one. You see, he did not travel the entire ocean looking for you. I learned a lot during my journey. Nemo: What is it dad… Marlin: The coral reefs are in danger. There are many threats to the animals who live on the reef. Nemo: On no! What are they? Marlin: Pollution, disease, over-fishing, and sedimentation. Nemo: Huh?

7. 25)26)27)28) Marlin: In other words, a lot of things that humans are doing is destroying our ecosystem. Nemo: We need to tell them to stop! Marlin: We can’t Nemo. They need to figure it out for themselves. Nemo: What are some things they can do in order to save our coral reef! Marlin: The most important thing they can do is to stop throwing waste into the ocean. It kills many animals that come into contact with it. Nemo: I am scared to go out and explore now dad. Marlin: Don’t worry Nemo. Little things that people do every day can help our environment. Can you think of some ways in which humans can make the environment including our ocean more healthy? Nemo: hm…that is a hard question dad. Marlin: Well that is one question you can ask Mr. Ray tomorrow can’t you? Nemo: Yeah!

8. 29)30) Marlin: And you can also get some help from the audience as well. Human brains are about a million times the size of ours. Nemo: So do you guys know ways in which we can make the ocean cleaner? If you do, write them down and you can share them with your classmates at the end. Marlin: Well I think I’ve had enough for today Nemo. Hopefully you can surprise Mr. Ray and your classmates with all your knowledge tomorrow in class. Nemo: I can’t wait dad! Thank you for showing me around the reef!

9. Life on the Coral Reef By Jennifer Keeler