In this Geography video, teachers are supported in delivering lessons on the Great Barrier Reef and threats facing our oceans. The video helps the children explore the ecological importance of coral reefs, the human impact on marine environments and how global and local action can protect these ecosystems.

The children locate Australia and the Great Barrier Reef on a world map and learn that it is the largest living structure on Earth, made up of around 3,000 coral reefs and visible from space. They discover how coral is formed, how reefs grow in shallow waters and how they protect coastlines while supporting a quarter of all marine species. The video also addresses challenges, such as coral bleaching, climate change and plastic pollution. It encourages the children to consider ways to take action to protect ocean habitats.

See more of our Year 5 and Year 6 Geography scheme of work and our collection of Teacher videos on Oceans.

• Geography, Year 5, Why do oceans matter? Lesson 2: What is the Great Barrier Reef?
• Geography, Year 5, Why do oceans matter? Lesson 3: Why are our oceans suffering?
• Geography, Y5/6 (B), Why do oceans matter? Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: What is the Great Barrier Reef?
• Geography, Y5//6 (B), Why do oceans matter? Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Why are our oceans suffering?