Lately my second grader has been doing a unit on Australia at school and has been learning about the Great Barrier Reef. Since we love hands on projects here, we decided to extend the learning at home with this edible coral reef model.
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We took a short break from working with the Early Elementary team because my middle son started public school after being homeschooled for three years. It was an adjustment to say the least, but we are starting to get a little more adjusted and couldn’t wait to share this super simple afterschool snack idea with you that we found when we were doing at home research on the coral reef.
Super Simple Edible Coral Reef Model
What You Need
Chocolate Candy Melts
Sprinkles
Large Marshmallows
Toothpicks
Pull-away Twizzlers
This activity is easier than I thought it would be and he boys loved it. In fact, the neighbor came over and we even did an episode live on Facebook making our snacks! It was super fun!
Step One: Add the Holes
Give each child a marshmallow and toothpick. With a toothpick add 6 holes in the top of the marshmallow and set to the side. (These will be the holes for the “tentacles” later)
Step Two: Cover in Chocolate
Next, pour a small amount of melted chocolate on everyone’s plate and have your child roll the marshmallow in the chocolate. This is the exoskeleton of the coral (the hard calcium carbonate).
Step Three: Sprinkles
Next, add a layer of sprinkles to the outside of the chocolate. This will be the helpful algae (the living zooxanthellae in the coral’s tissue).
Step Four: Add the Licorice
Finally, using a toothpick or your fingers push the small licorice ropes into each hole. This will be the tentacles of the coral (belonging to the Phylum Cnidaria).
After everyone has completed their individual coral, everyone places their coral together on a plate and the coral pieces will start to fuse together. This is what happens when the calcium carbonate skeleton is formed.
Now, you get to eat the coral. But really, it’s just so cool and pretty… who would want to? My boys, that’s who! We pretended we were predators of the coral reef (parrotfish) and we chowed down on our yummy after-school treat!
To read more about the original idea and more on Coral Reef Activities for Kids, you will want to check out this awesome coral reef lesson plan.
More Marine Life Learning Activities:
Now comes the best part! I have joined with some of my favorite people to bring you some of the latest in Learning with snow and ice. Throughout the year, we will gather together and share learning ideas for all subjects for children in first through third grade. Be sure to subscribe and follow along so you don’t miss any posts from this awesome series.
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Ocean Currents Science Experiment from Life Over C’s
Marine Mammals or Fish? from Still Playing School
Ocean Animals Food Chain Printables from Living Life and Learning
How Do Fish Breathe? from Parenting Chaos
Why Can’t Freshwater Fish Live in the Ocean? from Schooling a Monkey
{FREE} Ocean Animals & Plants Cards from Preschool Powol Packets
Ocean Animal Addition Cards from The Kindergarten Connection
Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards from The Letters of Literacy
Super Simple Edible Coral Reef from Lemon Lime Adventures
Coral Reefs Game from Line Upon Line Learning
Number Bonds with Shells from Kidz Activities
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