ANN BOESSNECK

LESSON PLAN: RAINFORESTS

OCTOBER 3, 1995

EDEX 750

LESSON THEME: The Rainforests

TARGET AUDIENCE: Self-contained EMD Elementary Class

OBJECTIVES: TSWBAT identify different rainforest animals and present facts about them.

TSWBAT describe a rainforest.

TSWBAT discuss ways he/she can help save the animals and rainforests.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

Web Site: Rainforest Action Network-Kids Corner

The teacher will use this site to get a list of things children can do to help save the rainforests.

SOFTWARE:

Zurk's Rainforest by Soliel, CD-Rom

A World Alive by the Voyager Company, Videodisc

Zurk's Learning Safari by Soliel, hard drive program

TYPE OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: Large group discussions about rainforests and the animals. Small group work and individual writings and drawings.

INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

The class will read aloud together about the rainforest and animals living there. A class discussion will follow.

As individuals they will draw pictures of their favorite animals and write about them.

In small groups the students will discuss ways to save the animals in the rainforest. The groups will bring these ideas to the whole group and will act upon at least one.

TIME CONSIDERATIONS AND TIPS FOR CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT:

Rainforest lessons will be held each morning for a month. The students will be introduced to different aspects of the rainforest each day. They will also learn about several animals per week. The teacher will use the videodisc, A World Alive, to introduce the animals. This videodisc shows facts about where the rainforests are located and how the animals live. During free time the students will be able to play Zurk's Rainforest. Games that will be encouraged are Photo Album and Jungle Discovery. At specific times, the aide or teacher will help students write about the animal they like on the computer. During the last week the teacher will begin to discuss animal families that can be found in both the rainforest and the grasslands - i.e. cats, birds, amphibians. The program, Zurk's Learning Safari, will be introduced to help the students see the different animals. Throughout the month the class will learn about and discuss ways the students can help save the rainforest. From the list taken from the World Wide Web, the students will act on at least one way to save the rainforest.