Activity: Blue: Our Coral Reefs – Early Learning

Quick summary: This activity is designed to engage children with the beauty of coral reefs and the role coral reefs play in supporting life in our ocean. Both younger and older children are invited to respond to a series of flashcards. Older children are then invited to create their own coral reef in their room. This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

Blue is a feature documentary film charting the drastic decline in the health of our oceans. With more than half of all marine life lost and the expansion of the industrialization of the seas, the film sets out the challenges we are facing and the opportunities for positive change. Blue changes the way we think about our liquid world and inspires the audience to action. Find out how to screen or download the film here. Along with the film is an ambitious global campaign to create advocacy and behaviour change through the #oceanguardian movement. To become an ocean guardian, see the website.

EYLF Learning Outcome	Elaborations
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world	3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners	1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 3. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators	3. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media

Equipment needed:

Ages 0 – 2:

• Print and cut out the Colours of the Reef – Flashcards. Glue the provocations to the back of each corresponding image.
• Collect a range of materials related to the sea, such as shells, sand, seaweed, sponges, water, driftwood, etc.

Ages 3 – 5:

• Print and cut out the Colours of the Reef – Flashcards. Glue the provocations to the back of each corresponding image.
• Collect a range of materials related to the sea, such as shells, sand, seaweed, sponges, water, driftwood, etc. Tip: If you are inside or are with very young children who may put objects in their mouths, you could place smaller items (including sand) in clear plastic containers. Children can view the items and shake them.
• Optional: Coral Reef Drawings.

Unit of work: Blue The Film: Early Learning.

Cool Australia and Northern Pictures would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of GoodPitch² Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation and Screen Australia in the development of these teaching resources.

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.

© 2017 Northern Pictures and Cool Australia