Our Beautiful Rain
Forest
HOW IT WORKS
Our Beautiful Rain Forest is
presented over a period of one month. It is conducted in a
cooperative learning atmosphere and involves the use of
technology, art, science, language arts, and mathematics.
The children plant seeds, learn how plants survive in the
atmosphere, nurture their plants, and then take them home.
They study trees and how they are beneficial to people and
the environment. A National Geographic CD about the rain
forest is introduced as whole class instruction. Later, the
students pair off to work together. They are assigned
computer time to access the Internet and research relevant
topics. The class also works in groups to create posters
that are placed in the hallways of their school. In one
activity, the class creates a diorama of the rain forest
using shoeboxes and recycled cardboard from paper towel
rolls. They also use old magazine to cut out things that
belong and live in the rain forest. This material is used to
make a collage. They are also shown articles about people in
California who helped save the redwood trees. The children
choose an animal of the rainforest that he/she likes,
perform research, and do book reports. The students also
present a play that is adapted from a story concerning the
saving of the rain forest.
THE STUDENTS
This program was designed for a third grade class with 25
students who range from struggling to above-average
intelligence. Many of these children have moved here from
other countries. This study of the rainforest can very
easily be adapted to fourth and fifth grade studies by
permitting more extensive research on people who have tried
to save the rainforest, and on animals that are or may
become extinct.
THE STAFF
Clemencia Saleeby is an elementary school teacher and has
been teaching for six years. She has been doing this program
for two years.
WHAT YOU NEED
Required materials include one computer that has Internet
access and is located in an area of the classroom where
everyone can see the monitor. This is necessary when
introducing the National Geographic CD to the students. Also
required is a social studies book, The Greek Kapok Tree,
paper supplies for creating projects, and materials for
experiments on runoff.
OVERALL VALUE
Our Beautiful Rain Forest is a fun program. Children love to
play the National Geographic CD and are very excited about
doing research on the Internet. They also love to create
dioramas and experiment. They work cooperatively and learn
to share and listen to one another. Performing a play and
inviting their peers and parents also contributes to their
feelings of self-worth. |