What is the Great Barrier Reef and why is it important?
Open Class: Tell students that The Great Barrier Reef is the name given to the more than 3000 rainbow colored coral reefs that grow off Australia’s east coast. In places, the reef is as much as one hundred miles wide. Although there are natural breaks in the reef, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park maintains shipping lanes – wide cuts – through the reef so ships can get through. Directions: You may choose to tell students the following three paragraphs of background information or have them read from their textbook. Or, you may choose to give them 10 minutes to research answers to 3 questions: Why is the Great Barrier Reef one of the natural wonders of the world? What value does the reef offer Australia’s economy? How is the reef being damaged? The reef is very important to Australia’s economy. It provides food and jobs. 80% of the land along the reef supports agriculture – from fisheries to cattle grazing to crops. The reef protected beach offers white sand for lazing and sparking tur
