Curated OER
Teaching about the Rainforest - Classroom Ideas
Students are introduced to the tropical rainforest through different ways that catch their attention such as: Visit a local botanical garden or conservatory so that students can see the variety of tropical plants in the world. They...
Curated OER
Why Does the Cocoa Tree Need a Tropical Rainforest to Grow?
Fourth graders explore the requirements a cocoa plant needs to survive. They research where chocolate comes from and how humans can affect the growth of cocoa trees. Students create a 3-D model of a cocoa tree and compare and contrast...
PreKinders
Poison Dart Frogs
Learn about the poison dart frogs of the rainforest with a slide show that features facts and pictures. Each slide educates viewers about poison dart frogs, such as where they live, what they eat, and how they are poisonous.
California Academy of Science
Plants: Hanging Tough
Learning about the rainforest can be more fun than you think. The class discusses vocabulary-in-context as they cut cardboard boxes, destined to become part of a rainforest model. Small groups of children color, cut, and construct...
Curated OER
Dr. Green's Rainforest Mystery
Third graders create a brochure describing all of the information researched about a specific animal. Using this information, create a 3-D model of the animal and its habitat that could later be used to design an appropriate living...
Curated OER
Extinction Is Forever
Students observe models of two kinds of forests with low and high biodiversity. They observe and record the effects of habitat destruction or extinction rates. They also conduct research about mass extinction like that of the ancient...
Curated OER
Deforestation
Students identify the different tropical rainforests in the world using a map. In this ecology instructional activity, students describe the different methods of deforestation. They create a memo and present it to class.
Curated OER
Nelson Mandela, Symbol of Courage
Fifth graders study Nelson Mandela. In this leadership lesson, 5th graders study the life of Nelson Mandela. Throughout their learning, they read biographies on Nelson Mandela, compare their community to those in South Africa, discuss...