At Home in the Coral Reef

Vocabulary IntroductionUnit 4, Week 5

Coral- a hard substance made of the skeletons of tiny sea animals

Coral is a group of small animal skeletons that forms a reef.

We saw many shapes of coral on the reef.

What might coral be used for in our society?

Coral has many uses ranging from medicinal purposes to food supplies to protecting coastlines from storms and erosion. However, it has increasingly become exploited, in products such as filler for concrete, gift shop souvenirs, jewelry, and decorations for aquariums.

Reef- a ridge of coral at or near the water’s surface

A reef is a ridge of sand, rock, or coral under the ocean or other body of water.

We took pictures of the reef with our underwater camera.

What do you think a reef looks like?

partnership- two people or things working together.

A partnership is formed when two groups work together.

Our team had a partnership with a deli, they donated money to us and we wore their name on our shirts.

What are some benefits to forming a partnership?

current –a part of the water that is moving along a path.

Water moving together in one direction is part of a current.

The lifeguards warned the swimmers of the strong current.

What types of things might benefit from a current?

eventually- finally

When something happens eventually, it has finally happened after a time.

We waited in line for hours, and eventually made it to the counter.

What is an antonym for eventually?

brittle- easily broken

Something that is brittle can be broken easily.

The old chair was so brittle, it fell apart when I touched it.

What else might be brittle?

suburbs– right outside of a cities border

If you live outside of a city’s border, you live in the suburbs.

Because we lived in the suburbs, we often went on trips to the nearby city.

What are the advantages to living in the suburbs?