Layers of the Rainforest Lesson Plan

Unit Topic or Theme:

Geography/Environmental Science

Grade:

4-6

Lesson Topic or Theme:

Rainforest layers and the animals that live in each

Lesson Objectives:

The students will be able to name each layer of the rainforest and tell some information about them.  They will also be able to tell what animals live there.

Instructional Technique:

Computer interactive game, class discussion, and small class project.

Instructional Materials:

            Interactive Rainforest game- and a number of worksheets to work from/ adapt lesson plan.
            Rainforest layer Worksheet 

Theoretical Perspective:

It is a good idea for children to become knowledgeable about the rainforest and how important they are to our environment.  They should know that there are other types of climates and creatures than the ones that live around them.

Procedure:

A. Introductory Activity:
    talk about rainforest, touch on layers and location of some rainforest.  Also explain why rainforest are important to our climate, and how they affect our oxygen where we live.

B. Step-by-step (descriptive outline)
    First, demonstrate how to use the website. Show them how to click on the corresponding answers. Show them that if you get an answer wrong you can hit “try again” to go back to the previous page and answer again. We will also show them how to use the links to find out more about each layer and what lives there.
    Then have the students log onto the website in small groups or alone. Instruct them to fill in there worksheet with some facts and some animals they find most interesting in each layer. The handouts will be used for a class discussion at a later time.

C. Closure
    After the students have finished using the computers, have the students sit back in their seats.  Have a teacher lead discussion where, going around the room, each child tells their favorite fact about the rainforest or the living things in it.  Introduce a sign up sheet where student can put their name next to a list of living things in the rainforest.  The list should include cool plants and animals.
    The students will be given some class time (20-45min) to do some research on each of the animals using the links throughout the web site, and their own sites that they have found.  They will write down some interesting facts about the organism they have chosen.

D. Adaptations for different learners (i.e. non-native speakers, struggling readers or math phobic learners, students with poor study skills)

    For student with learning dissabilities, class time would be given to complete homework portion and non native speakers could have an alternite site or book in thier native language.  The reading involved can be lessend by putting children in groups; be sure to put strong readers with weaker ones.

E. Homework
    If not finished in class: They will make a sheet with their organism’s name, and 5 interesting facts about that living thing.  They will also cut out or print out a picture of there animal and attach there information to there organism. These can be turned in 2-3 days after assigned, allowing students some free time later in class if they do not have computer access at home.  The organism will be put on a large, teacher-designed, rainforest poster, according to the layer where there chosen creature lives.

Evaluation:

A. How/ when will you determine if you have met your objectives?

• What will students be able to do and/or show you at the end of the lesson that lets you know they have learned?
• 
  What will you use to document this?

Students should be able to name each Layer and identify some animals from each. They should also have learned some interesting facts about each layer, which may help them to remember them.

Have a worksheet that lists all of the layers. The students will be required to write the name of the layers next to them and record some interesting factsabout each.

I don't believe a test would be necessary, the activitie at the end of the lesson should suffice.

B. Concerns or questions you have about teaching this lesson?