Skip to Main Content
A Paper Relief for the Coral Reef

A Paper Relief for the Coral Reef

Create your own coral reef and learn about these delicate ecosystems.
Print Now

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Construction Paper
  • Craft Materials
  • Crayons
  • Salt
  • Scissors
  • Tissues or Tissue Paper
  • Washable No Run School Glue
  • Washable Watercolors

Steps

  • Step 1

    Share a book about coral reefs with the class such as "The World of Coral Reefs" by Erin Spencer and Alexandria Neonakis or "Coral Reefs: A Journey Through an Aquatic World Full of Wonder" by Jason Chin. Present some facts about coral reefs and ask students why it so important to protect them.

  • Step 2

    Have students create an ocean scene using the crayon-watercolor resist technique: First they draw the coral reef and other items found at the bottom of the ocean, pressing firmly with crayon to create a thick layer of wax. Then they use watercolor to paint over the scene. They can create a textured effect by sprinkling some salt on the paper while the paint is wet. When it dries it produces a crystalized effect. They might also give the art texture by embellishing it with decorative craft items such as crumpled tissue paper.

  • Step 3

    Invite students to use construction paper to create and cut out sea creatures to glue to their work.

  • Step 4

    Ask them to write a poem from a sea creature's point of view about coral reefs and why it's so important to protect these ecosystems.

Standards

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

LA: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

SCI: Describe what living organisms have in common (eating, breathing, growing, and reproducing) and distinquish them from non-living things.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

ARTS: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

Adaptations

Talk about some of the threats to ocean life, such as climate change, pollution, overfishing, etc.

Dive more thoroughly into coral reef risks and have students discover how warming water temperatures destroy coral and what the term "bleached reefs" means.