Once upon a time, in the ocean's intertidal zone, there lived an invertebrate named Slimy. Slimy was a small, green algae that lived on the substrate near the shore.
One day, while floating in the water, Slimy noticed that the tide was changing. The water was getting lower and lower, exposing more and more of the substrate to the air. Slimy realized that this was due to the rotation of the Earth, which causes the tides to rise and fall.
Slimy also noticed that the tides were getting higher and lower at different times of the month. This was because of the moon's gravity, which pulls on the ocean, causing the tides to change. Slimy learned that when the moon and sun are aligned, the tides are higher, and these are called spring tides. And when they are not aligned, the tides are lower, and these are called neap tides.
As Slimy adapted to the changing tides, he also had to adapt to the predators in the intertidal zone. Mobile creatures like crabs and snails would move in and out with the tides, hunting for food. Slimy had to be quick and smart to avoid becoming a meal.
But Slimy was a survivor and he learned to adapt to the changing tides, predators, and even the moon's gravity, living happily in the intertidal zone.
The end.

Reflections

1. What is the intertidal zone?
2. What is the moon's gravity and how does it affect the tides?
3. What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?
4. Why did Slimy have to be careful of predators in the intertidal zone?
5. How did Slimy adapt to the changing tides and predators?