a.) Introduction: Read The Great Kapok Tree to the class.

     b.) Make A-Z Journals:

Students use this throughout the unit to record notes and research rainforest words a-z. Keep a large classroom chart to give students key words to research.

     c.) Internet Research Project (Click Home)          

2. Show the video of the rainforest (30 mins.)      

Objectives:                                                 

     a.) To identify layers of the rainforest

     b.) Gather general facts to be written on cards for tree on wall

     c.) List items on A-Z chart to aid in research project

3. Give handout on layers of rainforest. Use bulletin board model to record facts for students to copy on their ditto.

4. Make model of the rainforest using dittos to color, cut, and glue on oak tag.

5. Read "EXTRA" magazine article p. 10-11 "Animal Life".

6. Social Studies Lesson:

     a.) Give handout (2pgs. of World May and Animals etc.). Tape world map together and glue it on large construction paper. Color all rainforest areas in green and add a map key to bottom of page. Trace equator with yellow marker, Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer with orange marker. Pull wall map down and help students number their world maps to show where each animal is located. Glue pictures of animals around border close to their location. Use a ruler to connect animal to its location #. Display on wall with words: Where in the Tropics?

     b.) Use ditto of large Venn Diagram to compare the temperate zone vs. tropical zone.

7. Read EXTRA magazine pgs. 12-13. Add Yanomami to Y page in journal and write some facts. Do ditto on Yanomami.

8. Math Projects: Divide into Small groups to do the following projects.

     a.) Rain Gauge: Make it 150-160 inches of rain per year. Display in hallway.

     b.) Make 20 ft. long leaves characteristic of the largest leaves found in the rainforest.

     c.) Research and make a model of the largest plant in the rainforest: (39 inches across - Rafleasia plant)

     d.) Chart the layers of the rainforest:

Emergent layer trees grow to 115-250 ft.

Canopy layer trees grow to 65-100 ft.

Understory trees grow to 15 ft.

     e.) Chart what is typically found in a 2.3 sq. mi. patch of land in the rainforest:

1,500 species of flowering plants

750 species of trees

400 types of birds

150 kinds of butterflies                                                     

100 types of reptiles

60 species of amphibians

42,000 types of insects

     f.) Draw an anaconda (37 feet long) and research facts to write along it. Hang in hallway.