Is Coral a Plant or Animal?

Here's how.

Grade Range

2nd-6th

Active Time

120 minutes

Total Time

120 minutes

Area of Science

Zoology

Ocean Sciences

Key Concepts

building models, coral, plants, animals

Credits

Overview

"Close-up of Coral Polyps" © 2009 Mark Yokohama

By building an edible coral polyp, students will learn the anatomy of coral and be able to explain why corals are animals, rather than plants.

This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:

4-LS1-1. Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

This lesson focuses on these aspects of NGSS Three Dimensional Learning:

Science & Engineering Practices	Disciplinary Core Ideas	Crosscutting Concepts
Constructing explanations. Use evidence (e.g., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation.	4-LS1.A: Structure and Function. Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.

Grade Range

2nd-6th

Active Time

120 minutes

Total Time

120 minutes

Area of Science

Zoology

Ocean Sciences

Key Concepts

building models, coral, plants, animals

Credits

Teacher Tool Box

How to Make a Bristlebot

Two-Stage Balloon Rocket Introduction

Make a Lemon Volcano - Fun Science Experiment