Lesson Plan - In Hot Water

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge before reading by sharing the video “Coral Reef Construction.” Ask: How do coral polyps build coral reefs? 

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• climate change
• colonies
• organisms
• atmosphere

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how coral reefs are important to many sea creatures.

1. How does the author support the idea that coral reefs are important to many sea creatures?
The author supports the idea that coral reefs are important to many sea creatures by explaining that the reefs are home to one-quarter of all underwater species. She states, “Everything from huge sharks to tiny fish lives in coral reefs.”
^{(RI.3.1 Text Evidence)}

2. Based on the article, what is a main cause of the warming of Earth’s oceans?
According to the article, a main cause of ocean warming is humans burning fossil fuels like coal and gas to create electricity. The article states, “Burning fossil fuels releases extra greenhouse gases. Those gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. This has caused Earth’s average temperature to rise over time.”
^{(RI.3.8 Cause and Effect)}

3. How does warmer ocean water affect corals?
Warmer ocean water affects corals by causing corals to release the algae that live inside them and create food for them. The article notes, “This process is called coral bleaching. It can kill corals.”
^{(RI.3.8 Cause and Effect)}

FEATURED SKILL: Paired Text
Explore the connection between corals and algae. Use the skill builder “Reef Partners” to help students understand this and other symbiotic relationships between reef species.
^{(RI.3.7 Text Features)}