Lesson Plan - In Hot Water

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge 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
• fossil fuels

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how the health of coral reefs can affect other species.

1. Do you think “In Hot Water” is a good title for the article? Why or why not?
Sample response: “In Hot Water” is a good title for this article because coral reefs are in “hot water” as the oceans warm up. Also, the expression “in hot water” is sometimes used to mean “in trouble.” Coral reefs are in trouble because warmer ocean water is causing coral bleaching, which puts the reefs at risk.
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2. Based on the article, what is a main cause of the warming of oceans?
According to the article, a main cause of ocean warming is human activity. The article says that “we burn fossil fuels to create electricity and power our cars. That releases greenhouse gases, which trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. Experts say our production of too much of these gases is contributing to Earth’s rising temperatures.”
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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 that “This process, called coral bleaching, weakens corals and can cause them to starve.” 
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Featured Skill: Paired Texts
Explore the amazing connection between corals and algae further! Distribute the skill builder “Reef Partners” to help students understand symbiotic relationships between species in the Great Barrier Reef.
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