Grade Level: 4

Subjects:  Science, Language Arts, Study Skills

Learner Outcomes:

The students will:

• describe the different characteristics of plants and animals which help them to survive in different niches and environments.
• describe the environments and conditions which are needed for the survival of living things.
• explain the relationship among organisms in the rain forest.

Materials:

Read Aloud Book: The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry
Web for The Great Kapok Tree
Overhead projector
Transparency of Web for The Great Kapok Tree
Internet Worksheet on the rain forest
White Construction paper (8"x8") for pyramid--3 sheets for each student
Scissors
Crayons
National Geographic Video:  Rain Forest

Procedures:

Day One

1.  Introduce the rain forest by reading The Great Kapok Tree to the students. Students complete the web (graphic organizer) while the story is being read.
2.  Discuss notes the students took during the reading of The Great Kapok Tree.  Discuss any additional information the students may know about the rain forest.
3.  Go to the computer lab and have students complete the Rain Forest Internet worksheet using the site Toucan Sam's Encyclopedia of the Rain Forest.  Students also need to complete the ecosystem matrix for the rainforest.

Day 2

1.  Discuss answers from the internet worksheet and matrix completed yesterday.
2.  Watch the video: National Geographic Rain Forest
3.  Demonstrate how to make a pyramid.  Each child will need 3 sheets of white 8 x 8 construction paper.  Fold diagonally, fold diagonally again.  Cut each paper from one corner to the center.  (Only one cut per paper.)
4.  On the first pyramid (all three sides), draw and color animals from the rain forest.  Underneath the picture, write facts about the animals.
5.  On the second pyramid (all three sides), draw, color and label plants found in the rain forest.
6.  On the third pyramid, draw a world map which shows the location of the rain forests in the world (side one).  Add interesting facts (side 2), and (side 3) uses of things from the rain forest.
7.  Use a string to connect all three pyramids together vertically.  Hang from ceiling.

Modifications:    Students can be given the name of the animal, plant, etc. and the information on a notecard.  They can transfer the information to the pyramid.

Enrichment Activities:
    Students research animals from rain forest and find their  life spans.   Make a bar graph using Microsoft Excel showing the animals' life spans.  Write questions for other students to answer using the bar graph.  Use a calculator to find the average life span for animals of the rain forest.
    Students can also take a virtual tour of the rainforest.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Web from The Great Kapok Tree is worth 10 points.  The Internet  worksheet is worth 44 points, and pyramids are 10 points each for a total of 30 points.  Also have the students take The Rain Forest Quiz.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives
     Science:  4.6, 4.34, 4.35, 4.36,
     Language Arts:  4.11, 4.12, 4.26, 4.30, 4.92
     Study Skills:  4.83, 4.85, 4.86, 4.92
 

National Standards:
     Language Arts:

•  Gathers and uses information for research purposes.
•  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of information.

• Understands the basic features of the Earth.
• Knows about the diversity and unity that characterize life.
• Understands how species depend on one another and on the environment for survival.

References:
Toucan Sam's Encyclopedia of the Rain Forest
Tour of the Rainforest
The Evergreen Project
Gander Academy
The Cyber Zoo-What is a Biome?
An African Adventure-The Rain Forest
Virtual Tour of the Rainforest
Rainforest Quiz
The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry
National Geographic Video Rain Forest

Authors:  Beth Henry
              Kathy Kemper
        Kim Waggy
              Flinn Elementary
 
 

Lesson One

Lesson Two

Lesson Three

Lesson Four

Lesson Five