Wisdom Seed: Interconnectedness
Welcome to the OAG Wisdom Seed, Interconnectedness. Click the items below to explore the content for this Wisdom Seed.
Caregiver LetterInterconnectedness devotionGroup 1 (3yr-5yr)
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Coral reefs are bright, colorful homes under the ocean. They are made by tiny animals called coral. Tinier animals called algae live inside the coral and help give it its beautiful colors.
The algae help feed the coral, and the coral gives the algae a safe place to live. Many fish and other ocean animals live in the coral reef. It is their home and a safe place to hide. If the ocean water gets too warm or dirty, the coral can get sick.
When the coral gets sick, the algae leave, and many ocean animals can lose their homes. This reminds us that all living things in the ocean help take care of one another. To learn more about coral reefs visit: Kids Do Ecology:Coral Reef
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The coral and tiny algae help each other. Can you think of two friends that help each other? How do they help?
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Pretend to be coral and tiny algae! If you have a partner, one person can be the coral. Stand still like a safe home. The other person can be the tiny algae. Move gently around the coral. Then switch places! If you're by yourself, use one arm to be the coral and your other arm to be the tiny plant. Move your arms together to show how they help each other. When you're done, talk about how the coral and the tiny algae work together. They help each other stay healthy, just like friends helping each other
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Group 2 (6yr-8yr)
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Coral reefs are home to many ocean animals, and every coral reef animal has an important role. Some animals like parrotfish and sea turtles help keep coral reefs healthy by eating algae that can grow on the reef. When there are fewer animals, too much algae can grow and make it harder for the coral to survive. To learn more about coral reefs visit: https://coral.org/en/coral-reefs-101/coral-polyps/
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All the animals in a coral reef depend on each other. What do you think happens if the parrotfish or sea turtles get hurt? How does it affect the other animals that depend on the reef? Can you think of a time when your family worked best because everyone was included and cared for?
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Many ocean animals call coral reefs home. Draw a coral reef and fill it with ocean animals. As you draw, think about how the reef helps each one. When you're finished, circle one animal and talk about why it needs the coral reef.
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Group 3 (9yr-12yr)
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Coral reefs are one of the most connected ecosystems on Earth. Tiny coral animals, called coral polyps, work together with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae. The algae use sunlight to make food for the coral, and the coral gives the algae a safe place to live. Many fish, sea turtles, sharks, and other sea animals depend on coral reefs for food, shelter, and places to raise their young.
When coral reefs are damaged, it affects much more than the coral. Fish and other sea animals lose their homes, and people who depend on healthy reefs for fishing, tourism, and protection from storms are affected too. To learn more about coral reefs visit: Coral Reefs for Kids
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Imagine a coral reef as a giant team where every living thing has an important job. What do you think would happen if one part of the team, like the algae, disappeared? Can you think of a time when one small change in your school or family affected everyone?
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Changes in our climate can cause the ocean water to become too warm and lead to coral bleaching, where the coral turns white. One small way that you can help slow down the impact of climate change is by turning off the lights in your home when they’re not being used. Ecosystems stay healthy because every part plays an important role.
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