WV State Standards: Science: SC.9.2.3, SC.9.6.2 National Standards:  Writing: 4 Science: 11 Economics: 1, 2 Blooms Taxonomy: Evaluation, Synthesis, Analysis, Application, Comprehension, Knowledge 21st Century Skills: Learning and Innovation Skills  Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills Communication and Collaboration Skills Information, Media and Technology Skills Information Literacy Media Literacy Life and Career Skills Flexibility & Adaptability Initiative & Self-Direction Social & Cross-Cultural Skills Productivity & Accountability Leadership & Responsibility

Overview:

The purpose of this learning experience is to increase student knowledge of problem based learning in real life dealing with science and economic issues. The students will demonstrate an understanding of rainforest destruction by discussing the relationship between economic wants and needs, researching rainforest and role card information, and presenting it to their classmates.

Objective(s):

1.      The students will read and analyze the problem.

2.      The students will define parameters for stated requirements.

3.      The students will describe and discuss the relationship between economic wants and needs.

4.      The students will demonstrate collaborative working skills.

5.      The students will research the problem using economic and science related resources within the school, community, library, and Internet.

Time Required:

 This lesson will approximately take three 45 minute class periods.

Pre-Requisite Skills:

Students will need to have basic technology, Internet skills, writing skills and basic science concepts in economics as well as problem solving experience. 

Computer, Internet, Encyclopedia, Magazines

Unit Overview
Problem
Role Card Sheet
Internet
Computers
Library Resources
Pencil
Paper

1.      Read unit overview and problem with the students.

2.      Discuss:

o        Why are the forests being destroyed?

o        Who is cutting down the rain forests?

o        Why would people choose to clear the land of trees?

o        What would happen to these people if they could no longer cut down the trees?

3.      Describe and discuss the relationship between economic wants and needs(see attached paper).

4.      Review and discuss the concept of opportunity cost: what one gives up in order to have some of another thing.

5.      Complete economic wants and needs chart. Show students the following chart and have them start thinking about the choices they would make.

6.      After the discussion, complete the Resource Chart with your students:

Production Resource Chart

Product: rain forest

7.      Divide students into groups of three.

8.      Hand out and discuss role cards (attached at the end of the lesson).

9.      Conduct research based on each group’s individual role card. The students will pretend they are the person and/or group stated on their role card and will research rain forest destruction based on the views, problems, and goals of their chosen person and/or group. Research notes should be written down on paper.

The teacher can extend this unit in a number of ways for enriched groups such as giving more detailed requirements. The teacher may also work more closely with remedial groups as well by reducing the number of requirements.

The time allotted for this lesson plan may vary depending on how familiar the students are with research information. Be knowledgeable about opportunity cost and economic wants and needs. 

Role Cards

1.      You work for the World Wildlife Fund. You are concerned about the toucan and the extinction of other rain forest animals. You can see that the list of endangered animals is getting larger and larger. You have been working for the Wildlife Fund for 15 years. You are feeling that the situation is getting desperate.

2.      You are a person who lives in the rain forest. You come from a very poor family. In order to meet the needs of your family, you decide to farm the rich soil underneath the rain forest. It is necessary for you to cut down the trees in order to plant your crops. The crops you plant will help put food on the table for you and your 15 family members. The money you earn selling the crops also will help pay for medicine for your sick mother.

3.      You are a lumberjack who works for a lumber company. You have been a lumberjack in the rain forest for 30 years. You know no other business. You have always cut down the trees. You use the money that you earn as a lumberjack to feed your 8 children and to help take care of your grandchildren.

4.      You are a lumber company president. You have been in business in the rain forest for more than 25 years. All the money you earn is made by chopping down the rain forest. More than 50 lumberjacks and their families depend on you and your company for their living.

5.      You are a scientist who does research on the world's atmosphere. You have found that the rain forests around the world produce 40% of the world's oxygen. Without oxygen the health of people around the world would decline. You are very concerned because 115 square miles of rain forest are being destroyed each day.

6.      You are a worker in the bauxite mines. You dig the bauxite out of the soil so that it can be made into aluminum cans. The bauxite is found underneath the rain forests. After all the trees of the rain forest are cut down and cleared, you and your fellow workers mine the bauxite. You are not making a lot of money, but it is enough to feed you and your mother and three sisters. Your father was killed in a mining accident. You believe that this is the only job that available to you.

21st Century Assessment:

The students will be assessed using an oral presentation, collaborative work, and class debate rubric that will be completed at the end of the project. The students will be using the research information gathered in this lesson to prepare for both the oral presentation and class debate.