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coral reef

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

December 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are studying coral reefs, you will need a host of wonderful books about the Great Barrier Reef for kids to make a rich and full study. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page.

Also, I have plenty of fun and exciting hands-on activities to do for all ages that will make this one of your best units yet.

The Great Barrier reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

And it is the world’s largest coral reef system.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles.

The Great Barrier Reef is important for many reasons.

For example, it’s biodiversity is important, its impact on tourism, the protection it gives the coastline from storms and erosion, and the food and medicine that can be found there as well.

In addition to sharing books about the Great Barrier Reef, I have a faux coral reef craft project that will add a beautiful touch to any room.

BOOKS ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these books about the reef.

When possible, I add living books to our reading list.

5 Great Barrier Reef Books

Add some of these fun books about the Great Barrier Reef to your home library.

The Great Barrier Reef (Earth's Incredible Places)

Vibrant, dynamic illustrations illuminate this enchanting place, its animal inhabitants, and the peoples who have embraced it as a centerpiece of their cultures. Learn all about how the reef came to be, its place in the world, and perhaps most importantly, what we can all do to help ensure that The Great Barrier Reef will be around for countless future generations to discover!

The World of Coral Reefs: Explore and Protect the Natural Wonders of the Sea

Coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, but they support 25% of all marine species with food and shelter. In this lavishly illustrated book for ages 7 to 10, marine ecologist and underwater explorer Erin Spencer provides fascinating, scientific information in a highly accessible format, including details about the
types of coral, their anatomy and life cycle, where they live, how reefs develop, and the incredible diversity of marine animals that live among them, including aquarium favorites like clownfish, royal blue tangs, and sea turtles. Kids learn about the interdependent relationships of people and reefs and how human behavior puts reefs in danger, promising conservation work that scientists are undertaking, and solution-oriented ways kids and families can help in the effort. 

Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. Stretching more than 1,400 miles, it provides a home to a wide diversity of creatures. Designated a World Heritage Site, the reef is suffering from the effects of climate change but this fascinating book shows this spectacular part of our planet.

The Mystery on the Great Barrier Reef (Around the World in 80 Mysteries (Paperback))

It's a trip Down Under for Christina, 10, Grant, 7, and their mystery-writing grandmother Mimi! Lots of surprises and mysterious activities unfold as the group travels through the Outback, Queensland, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef. During a glass-bottom boat ride, they discover more than coral and fish under the water-scuba divers and flesh-tearing moray eel lurk beneath their boat! They shudder at the eerie screech of the Tasmanian devil and brave the awesome Australian Outback (and Aborigines!) at night. Watch and wonder as Grant ends up in the Camel Cup camel race- will he make it to the finish line? Don't miss a moment of excitement in Christina and Grant's Australian adventure! Download free activities for this book!

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time. "Science education at its best." ― Science Books and Films

We are going to use hot glue and paint.

Then transforming them into unique coral pieces while we learn about the different types and specifically about The Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants.

GREAT BARRIER REEF FACTS

The Great Barrier Reef has an abundance of life with:

  • Fish: Over 1,600 species of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish.
  • Corals: Over 600 species of hard and soft corals.
  • Sea Turtles: Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.
  • Sharks and Rays: Over 30 species of sharks and rays.
  • Marine Mammals: Whales, dolphins, and dugongs.
  • Seabirds: Over 200 species of seabirds.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.

It is so big that it can be seen from space.

The reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish – that’s more than in the entire Caribbean Sea.

Some of the corals in the Great Barrier Reef are over 1,000 years old, coral of the Great Barrier Reef has gradually been destroyed in recent years by a pest known as the Crown of Thorns Seastar, a marine organism that eats Coral Polyps.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means it is recognized as a place of outstanding universal value and is recognized as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.

HANDS ON GREAT BARRIER REEF ACTIVITIES

  • Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
  • How To Make Your Own Magic Crystal Coral Reef
  • Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • Egg Carton Coral Reef Craft
Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Finally, look at how to make this coral reef hot glue art.

HOW TO MAKE CORAL REEF HOT GLUE ART

You will need:

  • Wooden plaque
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
  • Paint
  • paintbrushes
  • Silicone mat
Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

First, paint your wooden plaque piece blue for the ocean or any color you like.

I found this one along with glue sticks and paint at Dollar Tree, making for a very frugal craft. Set aside to dry.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

If you do not have a silicone mat I cannot recommend one highly enough. They are a fantastic item for painting, slime, and any other messy craft.

On to our beautiful faux coral pieces.

To begin with, use a light marker like a highlighter or even a dry erase marker to draw out your design.

Make any kind of coral you want here.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

I tried some fan coral, a brain coral and some basic branch pieces.

Be mindful of the size wooden plaque that you have chosen to use. You want to make at least 4 or 5 of varying widths, heights, and types to layer on the background.

You want to gather a lot of hot glue for this activity, depending on how many pieces and how large you want to make them.

CORAL REEF HOT GLUE ART

Now you’re going to take your hot glue, gun and draw along the lines that you made with a nice thick line,

You can allow it to cool while you work on another piece and add additional layers of thickness if you like.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Here is a gorgeous example of fan coral that had been washed up on the beach after a hurricane.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Allow your designs to dry completely until the glue is hard and it will peel right up off the silicone mat.  I peeled it back just to be sure my lines were thick enough and laid it right back down.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Now you are going to paint each piece in whatever color combination you like.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Let the paint dry completely, then begin testing out how you will layer and place your pieces on the plaque.

Exciting Books About the Great Barrier Reef| Faux Coral Craft

Once you’re satisfied, add a little bit of hot glue to the back of each piece and press it into place.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: coral reef, great barrier reef, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

June 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun coral reef activities and play dough invitation to play. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page and Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

June 9th is all about celebrating Coral Triangle Day.

It’s a day to promote ocean conservation and protection, especially in the Coral Triangle.

To mark it, I have fun coral reef activities and a play dough invitation to play.

Additionally, the Coral Triangle includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

While coral reefs everywhere are important, the coral triangle gains a lot of attention for its diversity within its waters.

Let’s dive into an ocean of learning about the beauty and diversity of coral reefs and the Coral Triangle.

I have books, hands-on activities, facts, and more.

Summer is the perfect time to learn more about the oceans that surround us and the unique coral reefs in them.

Coral Reef Activities Facts

  • The Coral Triangle is also known as the Amazon of the Seas.
  • Here, in the triangle, live 6 out of the world’s 7 species of marine turtles.
  • It is one of the eight major coral reef zones throughout the world, and it is recognized as a very important place of marine biodiversity and a major priority for conservation.
  • Over 600 different species of reef-building coral make their home in the triangle.
  • 76% of all the world’s coral species are found in the Coral Triangle. The area boasts the highest coral diversity in the world.
  • Researchers believe that the Coral Triangle may be where all Coral Reefs once began.
  • The most endangered species in the area are Yellowfin, Tuna Skipjack, and Bigeye Tuna.

Also, look at some of these fun coral reef books and resources.

Coral Reef Unit Study Resources

Add some of these coral reef unit study resources to your unit study.

National Geographic Readers: Coral Reefs

In this level 2 reader, young readers explore the amazing underwater world of coral reefs. Beautiful photos and carefully leveled text make this book perfect for reading aloud and for independent reading.

Coral Reefs (New & Updated Edition)

What is life like in a coral reef? What do corals eat? Why are corals more colorful at nighttime? Learn about some of the most beautiful locations in the natural worldMarine biologists believe coral reefs existed 400 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today this active environment is home to about 20,000 kinds of brilliantly colored corals, plants, and animals--more sea creatures than are found anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that astronauts can see it from outer space! Children in early elementary grades will enjoy Gibbon's informative text and clear, detailed illustrations on this journey into the unique lives of coral reefs.

Coral Reefs: A Whole New World Under The Sea -

The world is keen to protect the coral reefs. Why? The coral reefs provide shelter to all kinds of sea creatures. If they die, life below the sea will become very difficult. It is important to educate the young about the whole new world under the sea. This beautiful nature encyclopedia will be just the right tool to use!

Ocean Sea Animal, 52 Pack Assorted Under The Sea Life

Sea animal toy, approximately 2 inch, creature including Octopus,hippocampus, seahorse, jellyfish, turtle,clown fish, crab,shark Otter and etc

7 Pack Artificial Coral

Use for a diorama or for play fun.

Ecosystem: Coral Reef - A Family Card Game About Ocean Animals, Habitats, and The Food Chain - Board Game for Kids

MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game. Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish.

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time

Life in a Coral Reef (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Coral reefs are some of the largest natural structures in the world, and they are created by tiny coral polyps no bigger than a grain of rice. This Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book introduces readers to the amazing world of the coral reefs and the many marine animals who lived there.

WILD ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Create an Underwater Coral Reef - Science Kit

CREATE AN UNDERWATER WORLD -- Use chemical reactions to create colorful underwater scenes. Mix solutions, build an artificial coral reef and grow instant chemical coral with this coral reef kit.

Coral Reef Tin Box Magnetic Travel Game

Travel-Friendly Educational Toys: Coral Reef features 48 challenges, from easy to expert. Thanks to its compact size and new tin box portable travel case, you can put this puzzle at the top of your family's travel games list.

Also, look at these hands on ideas to study about the ocean and coral reef.

More Coral Reef Activities and Resources

  • Build your own underwater coral reef while you learn about chemical reactions, gravity, osmosis, marine biology, and coral bleaching.
  • How to draw a coral reef.
  • Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Edible Geography – Sea Levels
  • Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Try this coral reef themed magnetic logic puzzle with your study
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • .Small hands will love this coral reef sponge painting activity.
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • Hands-on Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap
  • I love this collage style of coral reef watercolor art.
Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Moreover, look at my huge Ocean Unit Study and Sea Turtle Unit Study.

Coral Reef Activities Play Dough Invitation

You will need:

  • 1 cup Flour
  • ½ cup table salt
  • 1 cup of Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 tsp. Cream of tartar
  • Food coloring
  • Optional-essential oils

Also, you will need:

  • Small bowls, cups, or a divided tray
  • Shells
  • Plastic ocean creatures
  • Beads
  • Toothpicks
  • Aquarium pebbles
  • Chenille stems

First, combine flour, salt, water, coconut oil, and cream of tartar in a medium pot over medium-high heat.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Stir constantly until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and is no longer sticky.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Quickly remove from heat and put the dough onto a smooth surface.

When it cools enough to touch, knead it for a few minutes and add food coloring and essential oil mixing well.

This is the perfect time to mix in a fun beachy scented essential oil like coconut or pineapple.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Now that your playdough is ready to go you can begin building your coral reef Hands-on invitation to play.

Grab some small clear cups or use a divided tray to place all your items out in an inviting way.

Cut colorful pipe cleaners down into different lengths.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Put playdough in one bowl, beads and toothpicks in another, chenille stems, toys, shells, and any other little items you have each in their own bowl.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Encourage your child to build an ocean base with the playdough, press chenille stems into it, poke in toothpicks and stack pony beads on them, Add fish and other ocean toys.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Your child can build and rebuild unique coral reefs as they learn about their beauty and importance.

Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: coral reef, crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, ocean, playdough

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

June 1, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love this fun blow painting coral reef hands-on activity. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page.

Too, June 1st marks World Reef Day, a day that is a call for everyone to reflect on our beautiful coral reefs as well as come to action to protect and preserve them.

Even if you have never visited them in person, you have surely seen their beauty in pictures or videos.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

I have a beautiful craft project to share with you which is coral reef blow painting.

It is a unique and fun activity for the kids to make and is a beautiful piece of artwork to hang up in your home as well.

This project is so fun you will probably want to make one yourself.

Coral reefs are important to us because:

  • they hold an abundance of life,
  • reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion,
  • provide jobs for the community around them,
  • they are a source of food and medicine,
  • and are a source of recreation for those who wish to appreciate them up close.

10 World Coral Reef Day Facts

Next, look at some facts to remember on world coral reef day.

  1. The NOAA estimates that over 75% of the world’s reefs are currently threatened, and within the next 10 years, 90% of reefs will be threatened by human activities.
  2. The biggest threat to coral is climate change.
  3. Corals are animals, not plants, and are the cousins of marine animals like jellyfish and sea anemones.
  4. Corals can move. Adult coral is attached to the ocean floor but larval or baby coral can swim to find a spot to set down anchor.
  5. Coral supports 25% of ocean life, it is much like an underwater forest.
  6. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth.
  7. Like trees, coral has growth rings inside that can help determine the age of the coral.
  8. There are over 800 different types of hard coral around the world.
  9. Coral reefs only grow up to a certain water depth which is about 200 to 300 feet.
  10. Corals eat 2 different ways- either by capturing zooplankton that floats near their polyp tentacles or by their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Then look at ways to protect coral reefs.

4 Ways Kids Can Preserve Coral Reefs

1. Choose Reef Friendly Sun Protection.

Many sunscreens hurt the coral reefs causing coral bleaching and stopping its development.

Instead of using sunscreen made with toxic chemicals, focus on practicing sun management cover-up, avoiding the sun during peak hours.

And opt for non-nano mineral-based sunscreen on exposed areas. These sunscreens are made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

2. Recycle And Dispose Of Trash Properly.

You may think tossing just one water bottle from the boat isn’t a big deal, but imagine millions of people doing that, or carelessly leaving trash on the beach.

These actions have big impacts on marine life including corals.

3. Research When Purchasing Aquarium Fish.  

Avoid buying living coral instead look for imitation corals, if you purchase a marine aquarium fish, make sure that it has been collected in a sustainable way.

4. Spread the Word.

Especially if you live anywhere near these precious coral reefs, you can work together with local groups to educate everyone on how important and precious they are.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You can find a lot of information online but here are a few books that I highly recommend you use for ocean studies; they both contain a good amount of information on coral reefs as well as the marine animals that make their home there.

More Coral Reef Ideas

  • Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
  • Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Reef Grammar Farm
  • STEAM Challenge: Create your own coral reef.

Also, look at these resources for studying coral reefs.

Coral Reef Unit Study Resources

Add some of these coral reef unit study resources to your unit study.

National Geographic Readers: Coral Reefs

In this level 2 reader, young readers explore the amazing underwater world of coral reefs. Beautiful photos and carefully leveled text make this book perfect for reading aloud and for independent reading.

Coral Reefs (New & Updated Edition)

What is life like in a coral reef? What do corals eat? Why are corals more colorful at nighttime? Learn about some of the most beautiful locations in the natural worldMarine biologists believe coral reefs existed 400 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today this active environment is home to about 20,000 kinds of brilliantly colored corals, plants, and animals--more sea creatures than are found anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that astronauts can see it from outer space! Children in early elementary grades will enjoy Gibbon's informative text and clear, detailed illustrations on this journey into the unique lives of coral reefs.

Coral Reefs: A Whole New World Under The Sea -

The world is keen to protect the coral reefs. Why? The coral reefs provide shelter to all kinds of sea creatures. If they die, life below the sea will become very difficult. It is important to educate the young about the whole new world under the sea. This beautiful nature encyclopedia will be just the right tool to use!

Ocean Sea Animal, 52 Pack Assorted Under The Sea Life

Sea animal toy, approximately 2 inch, creature including Octopus,hippocampus, seahorse, jellyfish, turtle,clown fish, crab,shark Otter and etc

7 Pack Artificial Coral

Use for a diorama or for play fun.

Ecosystem: Coral Reef - A Family Card Game About Ocean Animals, Habitats, and The Food Chain - Board Game for Kids

MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game. Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish.

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time

Life in a Coral Reef (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Coral reefs are some of the largest natural structures in the world, and they are created by tiny coral polyps no bigger than a grain of rice. This Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book introduces readers to the amazing world of the coral reefs and the many marine animals who lived there.

WILD ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Create an Underwater Coral Reef - Science Kit

CREATE AN UNDERWATER WORLD -- Use chemical reactions to create colorful underwater scenes. Mix solutions, build an artificial coral reef and grow instant chemical coral with this coral reef kit.

Coral Reef Tin Box Magnetic Travel Game

Travel-Friendly Educational Toys: Coral Reef features 48 challenges, from easy to expert. Thanks to its compact size and new tin box portable travel case, you can put this puzzle at the top of your family's travel games list.

Finally, look how to make this blow painting coral reef hands-on activity.

Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You will need:

  • Straws
  • Liquid watercolors
  • Watercolor paper
  • Pipettes or droppers
  • Markers
  • Baking sheet
  • Fine point black pen
Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Cut straws in half to make it a little easier to blow through and direct your watercolors.

Place a sheet of watercolor paper onto a baking sheet, this can get a little messy.

Using a pipette or small paintbrush drop various sized dots of the liquid watercolor all over the bottom of the page, or you can fill the entire page for a closer up view of the coral reef.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Have your child blow through the straw spreading the watercolor droplets around.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

You may wish to repeat and add more “limbs” or new coral once you see the white space.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

I like to let some of it dry and do the dots again to create different shades and give it a little depth.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Allow it to dry.

Lightly add a watered-down wash of light blue onto all the white space if you like to create water.

Let your picture dry completely.

Younger children will probably want to stop here, and that is totally fine but challenge your older children to add more detail. To do this they can trace around each dried shape with a fine liner black pen to define them a bit more.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

They can also use markers to add some fish in the painting. Use your books or Google for inspiration.

Once completely dry, lay your painted page under a couple heavy books for several hours to press the paper flat.

Create several paintings, each one will be completely unique just like the beautiful coral in the ocean.

Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: coral reef, crafts, earth science, earthscience, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, ocean, science

Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

May 5, 2023 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a free coral reef printable lapbook. Grab more ideas on my Coral Reef, lapbook ideas, and on my best homeschool unit studies pages.

My coral reef lapbook is a fun one to do anytime of the year.

Besides a coral reef being an ecosystem, you’ll want to learn about the organisms which live there.

Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

The Great Barrier Reef is so vast it can be seen from space.

At one time it was thought coral reefs were only in shallow depths, but scientists are discovering that some are as deep as 19000 feet.

However, most coral reefs are found at 150 feet where sunlight penetrates.

What Is Coral

Coral reefs are formed by colonies of tiny coral animals.

It is formed from the hard outer skeletons of tiny animals called polyps.

When the tiny animals die, the old skeletons remain, and new coral animals grow over them.

That is how coral reefs grow.

Too, coral can only grow in warm water because polyps only eat algae.

Moreover, living polyps are what give the coral color. If they die, the reef bleaches. It becomes white or loses it color.

Coral is a type of animal that lives in colonies. Each animal consists of a polyp that is the size of an ant.

Polyps have stinging tentacles which they use to catch small plankton as they drift by.

Coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae called zooanthellae.

The algae live inside the polyp tentacles.

Two Main Types of Coral

There are two main types of coral. One is hard coral with an outer skeleton made of calcium carbonate and soft coral which have bits of calcium carbonate inside their bodies.

Then, add a few of these words to your coral reef unit study and lapbook.

Coral Vocabulary

  • algae – a plant like organism that turns light into energy but does not have leaves or roots
  • coral reef – have been described as underwater gardens and coral polyps have the unique ability to thrive in nutrient poor water
  • ecosystem – a community of plants and animals relying on each other to survive
  • habitat – the place where an organism or group of organisms live
  • polyp– it’s a tiny animal that looks like an upside-down jellyfish and comes in many sizes and shapes
  • phytoplankton – a type of plankton that gets its energy from the sun through photosynthesis
  • zooplankton – tiny ocean animals like some jellyfish

Next add hands-on ideas.

Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

Look at these hands-on ideas to study about coral reefs.

Coral Reef Hands-on Ideas

  • Make a fun edible coral reef
  • Coral Reef Activities for Preschoolers and Kindergarten
  • Coral Reef Habitat Diorama
  • How to Make a Coral Reef with Clay
  • Light Up Reef Craft

Coral Reef Unit Study Resources

Add some of these coral reef unit study resources to your unit study.

National Geographic Readers: Coral Reefs

In this level 2 reader, young readers explore the amazing underwater world of coral reefs. Beautiful photos and carefully leveled text make this book perfect for reading aloud and for independent reading.

Coral Reefs (New & Updated Edition)

What is life like in a coral reef? What do corals eat? Why are corals more colorful at nighttime? Learn about some of the most beautiful locations in the natural worldMarine biologists believe coral reefs existed 400 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today this active environment is home to about 20,000 kinds of brilliantly colored corals, plants, and animals--more sea creatures than are found anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that astronauts can see it from outer space! Children in early elementary grades will enjoy Gibbon's informative text and clear, detailed illustrations on this journey into the unique lives of coral reefs.

Coral Reefs: A Whole New World Under The Sea -

The world is keen to protect the coral reefs. Why? The coral reefs provide shelter to all kinds of sea creatures. If they die, life below the sea will become very difficult. It is important to educate the young about the whole new world under the sea. This beautiful nature encyclopedia will be just the right tool to use!

Ocean Sea Animal, 52 Pack Assorted Under The Sea Life

Sea animal toy, approximately 2 inch, creature including Octopus,hippocampus, seahorse, jellyfish, turtle,clown fish, crab,shark Otter and etc

7 Pack Artificial Coral

Use for a diorama or for play fun.

Ecosystem: Coral Reef - A Family Card Game About Ocean Animals, Habitats, and The Food Chain - Board Game for Kids

MARINE BIOLOGY GAME - Learn about underwater creatures and their habitats in this nature card game! Players use aquatic animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and clownfish in a grid formation in this ecosystem building game. Earn points by aligning ocean life with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish.

Coral Reef

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time

Life in a Coral Reef (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Coral reefs are some of the largest natural structures in the world, and they are created by tiny coral polyps no bigger than a grain of rice. This Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book introduces readers to the amazing world of the coral reefs and the many marine animals who lived there.

WILD ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Create an Underwater Coral Reef - Science Kit

CREATE AN UNDERWATER WORLD -- Use chemical reactions to create colorful underwater scenes. Mix solutions, build an artificial coral reef and grow instant chemical coral with this coral reef kit.

Coral Reef Tin Box Magnetic Travel Game

Travel-Friendly Educational Toys: Coral Reef features 48 challenges, from easy to expert. Thanks to its compact size and new tin box portable travel case, you can put this puzzle at the top of your family's travel games list.

More Lapbook Ideas

Additionally, grab these other free homeschool lapbooks.

  • Amazonian Rainforest Animals Lapbook For Kids
  • Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
  • Free Pirates Lapbook
  • Free Printable Strawberries Lapbook 
  • Free North American Robin Bird Lapbook
  • Free Toad and Frog Lapbook
  • Free Ocean Lapbook
  • Free Titanic Lapbook
  • Bird Unit Study and Lapbook
  • US Westward Expansion Lapbook
Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

Coral Reef Printable Minibooks

Also, look at these minibooks which come in the free coral reef lapbook.

  • 1 Color Cover for outside of the file folder
  • 1 Black and White Cover for outside of the file folder
  • 3 Main Types of Coral
  • Anatomy of Coral Polyp
  • Layers of a Reef and Soft and Hard Coral
  • How Fast Do Reefs Grow, Where Do They Form and How Many Formations Can You Name
  • Life At The Reef
  • What is a Coral Reef – Plant or Animal and What is Coral

How to Get the Free Coral Reef Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get access to my subscribers library and this freebie.

However, not all my freebies are in the library (wink).

I like to keep up to date with what is valuable to you so I can give you more, some freebies you must sign up again on the form below even if you are already a follower.

And it’s the only way I have of freely delivering them to you. Just follow the steps below.

► 1) Sign up on my list.
► 2) Go to your inbox and confirm your email from the automatic reply I sent you. If you’re already a confirmed subscriber, you will not have to do this. You’ll receive the freebie instantly.
 ►3) Last step. look for my reply AFTER you’ve confirmed your email.

1 CommentFiled Under: Lapbooks Tagged With: coral reef, lapbook, lapbooking, lapbookresources, lapbooks, ocean, unit studies, unit study

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

September 10, 2022 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, for book Number 29 Down and Out Down Under of the Geronimo Stilton series, we’re making an edible coral reef. The Geronimo Stilton books are for ages 7 to 10 years old and are full of mouse fun and adventure.

In the Geronimo Stilton series book Down and Out Down Under, Geronimo is off to learn on adventure to Australia.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

And when you think of Australia you may immediately picture cute koalas and terrifying crocodiles but another famous and very important part of Australia is The Great Barrier Reef.

The idea for creating this fun hands-on coral reef is from our latest read which is Down and Out Down Under (Geronimo Stilton #29).

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and is teeming with incredible life, color, and beauty.

The story covers a lot of topics of interest in Australia.

This fun book mentions land animals, Uluru, Aborigines, topography, and the Great Barrier Reef .

Great Barrier Reef Resources

Today’s hands-on activity is fun, colorful, and a great way to teach all ages about the life that is in the Great Barrier Reef.

If you want to make an impact, hands-on activities are always the best way to fully immerse your kids into your topic.

This hands-on fun activity also appeals to all 5 senses and will make certain that your kids do not forget while they learned anytime soon.

Besides Down and Out Down Under (Geronimo Stilton #29) here are a few beautifully illustrated spines you may want to add to your library.

They are great basics that give great bites of information about the ocean, reefs, ocean animals and plants, and more.

  • Ocean Anatomy . I am such a big fan of the illustrations in these books but also how much information is contained in each topic. This one covers everything from why the ocean is blue and salty to tides, animal life, and even a section on The Great Barrier Reef specifically!

I am such a big fan of the illustrations in these books but also how much information is contained in each topic.

This one covers everything from why the ocean is blue and salty to tides, animal life, and even a section on The Great Barrier Reef specifically

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
  • Oceanarium: Welcome to the Museum
  • The Big Book of Blue
  • Basher Oceans

Facts About the Great Barrier Reef

:Next, here are a few facts to share about the The Great Barrier Reef.

  • The Great Barrier Reef, located off of the eastern coast of Australia, is the longest coral reef in the world.
  • It is home to 1500 species of tropical fish and 400 finds of hard and soft coral
  • The reef serves as a protective habitat for many other forms of marine life.
  • One of the threats to reefs is coral bleaching.
  • Crown-of-thorns starfish is one of the predators to the reef which feeds on the soft coral polyps.
  • A coral reef is a fragile ecosystem which requires very specific conditions. The water must be warm (between 69-84 F) and relatively shallow (to depths of 60-100 ft).
  • Coral reefs exist in shallow waters because they depend on photosynthesis for food production. Photosynthesis is the chemical process by which plants capture sunlight and convert it, along with water and carbon dioxide into energy.

While your child designs their own little slice of sea life you can talk about the various life that lives here, what is being done to preserve it and where its located.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Next, look at how to make this fun hands-on edible coral reef.

How to Make an Edible Reef

Here is a list of some things we used. Your list can vary depending on what you use for plants and animals

  • One half sheet cake or a boxed cake mix
  • Vanilla wafers
  • Assorted candy – airheads, licorice whips, swedish fish, cookies, sprinkles and white chocolate pretzels
  • Icing in various colors or food coloring for your own icing

Bake your cake according to package directions and allow to cool completely.

Flip pan to carefully remove cake and cut ⅓ of the cake off.

Flip over the two pieces and stack the smaller one on top of  the other.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

And because reefs have overhangs and caves, you can make some nooks and caves by digging out some of the cake.

Add a little food coloring to the frosting and stir. Use any shade you like to create your base.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Carefully ice all over the cake making different blobs and creating different textures creating the base mound of your coral.

You want it to look like big rocks.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Cut up airheads, licorice ropes and other candies to create colorful coral and push in all over the cake.

Broken white chocolate pretzels make nice coral.

Use the heat from your hands to soften Airheads or other taffy and make some fan coral for your reef.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Also, you could create a makeshift piping bag by putting warm wax into a sandwich bag, cut off a small corner and squeeze to make coral shapes onto wax paper.

Allow to cool and harden then remove carefully from waxed paper.

Finally, add in some fun sea creatures and you can add some fun decorations.

These are from obviously these are not edible.

The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Be sure to wash them well before using to disinfect them and keep your cake safe.

And you’ll love these other Geronimo Stilton.

Other Geronimo Stilton Resources:

  • Geronimo Stilton Field Trip to Niagara Falls Summary And Fun Corn Craft
  • Geronimo Stilton Adventures The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Colosseum Craft)
  • The Race Against Time Geronimo Stilton Activities: Fun Edible Spine
  • Geronimo Stilton Adventure The Journey Through Time #2: Back in Time (Mayan Craft)
  • Geronimo Stilton The Curse of The Cheese Pyramid Barbie Mummy
  • Easy and Fun Who Is Geronimo Stilton Rodent Notebooking Page
The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef

Too, you’ll love the ocean and coral reef resources I have here.

Ocean and Coral Reef Resources

  • Coral Reef Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
  • Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Australia, coral reef, earthscience, geography, Geronimo Stilton, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool geography, homeschoolscience, ocean, science

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