Reef Beat education series: our Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

In 2003, Reef Beat was developed as a curriculum-based education program for students who read the Newspapers in Education (NIE) lift out in local newspapers Townsville Bulletin and News Mail, the Daily Mercury. Newspaper editorials (feature articles) in the NIE lift-out and the educational activities aim to expose students to the Great Barrier Reef; develop opportunities to enable the protection, wise use and understanding of the Great Barrier Reef; develop greater knowledge about and appreciation of the Great Barrier Reef; develop independent reading skills; develop vocabulary about the Great Barrier Reef; enhance comprehension about the Great Barrier Reef; and develop creative and critical thinking skills in relation to Great Barrier Reef issues. The Reef Beat posters and activity book are designed to be used together as a classroom resource.