What factors are contributing to global climate change?

Questions to hold on to​

  • What is coral bleaching?
  • Is climate change an issue that we, as a society, need to fix? 
  • How is global warming affecting the earth and natural habitats? 
  • What can we do to stop climate change? 
  • Why is such a small temperature change a big problem? 

Add to your thinking

The Digital Notebook is a space to hold your thoughts, questions, and growing understanding throughout this Unit.  You will be able to access it from every Module. Use The Digital Notebook to jot your thinking, take notes, or as a space to develop your writing. You can print and export it anytime, and at the end of module 8 you’ll be reminded to save a copy for yourself.

What is coral bleaching?

When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. Read more.

Coral bleaching occurs when corals get too hot and is an impact of climate change.

All Lesson Videos

All Lesson Texts

Phenomenon

Coral Bleaching

 

*this module will take approximately 2 hours

 

Overview

The purpose of Module 1 is for students to begin forming their ‘wonderings’ around Climate Change and become cognizant of the lasting effects of it. 

 

Explore (10 min) 

Think Wall – What is coral bleaching?

  • Have students brainstorm for 5 minutes about all the possibilities of what coral bleaching is and any information related to coral bleaching. The students will have time to “brain dump” in their journal then they will be asked to write their ideas on a post-it and stick each idea onto a Think Wall. 
    • Note: A Think Wall is a space in the classroom that is allocated for students to brain dump visually and publicly. There is no ‘wrong’ answer that could be stuck on the wall, this is just a physical place to capture your students’ ideas. 

 

Explore (25 min) 

Introducing Symbiosis 

  • Have students watch the video two times. The first time students will simply watch and absorb the information. The second time students will take notes. 
  • Students will then think-pair-share to identify as many symbiotic relationships they can think of. The students will verbally share their favorite or most unique pairing. 
  • Coral bleaching video
  • Symbiosis background information

 

Explain (35 min)

Symbiosis Drawing

Students will create a drawing with a short explanation of symbiosis. Students may draw anything that survives through symbiosis. 

  • Share the Coral Bleaching Infographic to help students understand how symbiosis connects to coral bleaching and warming ocean temperatures.

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