Tropical Rain Forests
Objectives:1. Students will gain an understanding of the different types of plants and animals that can be found in the Tropical Rain Forest by participating in a class discussion, reading a story, and completing the Canopy picture match with poems.
2. Students will be able to show where the tropical rain forests are by finding them on a world map.
Materials:
1. The book Verdi by Janell Cannon
2. Copies of the canopy picture and poems.
3. Large Classroom World Map or globe.
4. Crayons
Instructional Methods:
1. What plants and animals do you use from the rain forest?
- Make a list on the board they may include fruits, medicines, paper, and animals.
- 50 % of all plant and animal species in the world are found in the rain forest.
- Rosy periwinkle produces chemicals to fight leukemia.
2. Layers of the forest
- Emergent
- Trees are 150-250 feet tall; one tree every acre.
- Canopy
- Trees are 65-100 feet tall; most of the animal life lives here.
- Understory
- Trees are 15-20 feet tall; some of these trees grow up to be part of the canopy.
- Forest floor
- 70% humidity and the temperature stays constant all year
3. Read the story to the class and discuss the pictures.
4. Canopy picture match with poems
- Give each a copy of the picture
- Explain that each poem describes one of the animals.
- Have them match the poems and the animals.
- Have them color the picture.
Assessment:
1. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of animals and plants found in the rain forest by successfully completing the canopy picture match. As well as through observation and participation.
*Resources adapted by Emily England and Jodi Ott
Ocean Lesson
