Explore the lush rain forest with your students.
Rain forests are ecologically diverse, lush regions home to a host of uncommon animals and plants. Many students study these exotic areas in school, learning about animals and plants that are vastly different from those that they encounter daily. Teachers can enhance their students' understanding of the region and allow them the opportunity to explore and gather interesting facts, by engaging them in rain forest-themed projects.
Rain Forest Fund-raising Ideas
Individuals and organizations frequently devote time and effort to raising funds to protect rain forest. At the conclusion of your rain forest unit, allow your students to consider what they could do to raise money. Ask each student to create a fund-raising plan. This plan could involve producing a product, making a T-shirt or conducting an event. Ask students to create an outline of their plan, and explain how their plans would ultimately benefit rain forest. Give each student the opportunity to pitch his plan to the class, and ask the class to vote on the most effective potential fund-raising plan.
Rain Forest Book Review
Allow your students to report on their favorite rain forest texts by engaging them in a rain forest book review project. To begin this project, gather an assortment of rain forest-themed books. Allow students to read each book, gathering information about the interesting ecosystem. Instruct each student to select one book from the assortment to review. Ask students to compose reviews in which they discuss the merits of each book, reporting on the effectiveness of the information presented and the degree to which they enjoyed each book. Post the reviews on a classroom bulletin board so all can see how each class member felt about each text.
Rain Forest Shelter Design
Engage your students in an imaginative design activity in which they envision their potential home in rain forest. After discussing the features of rain forest, allow each student to consider what shelter she might build if she were planning to call a rain forest home. Encourage students to consider all of the information they have learned about rain forest and to ensure that they plan a shelter that would keep them protected and comfortable. Instruct students to turn their sketches into actual models, using juice pop sticks, glue and other craft supplies to create miniature rain forest shelters.
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