Rainforest Lesson Plan

 

 Name: Sarah Haagen____ Date: April 24, 2004    Age/Grade Level: _3rd – 4th       

 Subject:  Science  # of Students: _20-25_ # of IEP Students:_________

 Major content: Rainforest Animals & Habitats  Unit Title: Let’s Learn About the Rainforest

 ACTIONS—Described prior to observation

 Goals and Objectives-

Students will practice technology skills by exploring the websites provided.

Students will practice creative writing skills through writing journal entries.

Students will practice their researching and application skills through their poster presentation.

Students will practice class involvement through in-class discussion.

 Connections-

SC-E-3.3.1           The world has many different environments.  Distinct environments support the lives of different types of organisms. When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce and others die or move to new locations. The lesson Let’s Learn About the Rainforest fulfills this connection and specifically addresses the habitat and animals of the rainforest.

Context-

Through class discussions and research, students will learn about many different environments and animals. By creating a poster to present to the class students will show knowledge and comprehension of their animal and its habitat as well as those topics discussed in class. By using technology and the Internet websites provided on the curriculum page, students will also be able to enhance their technology abilities and will improve their independent researching skills.

 Resources-

The websites listed below will be visited by students for research. Also, a CD with rainforest sounds, and the book The Great Kapok Tree will be used for in-class discussions.

Ö   Little Explorer’s Dictionary

Ö   Zoom Rainforest

Ö   Biomes

Ö   Animals of the Rainforest

Ö   Rainforest Live

Ö   Jungle Photos

 

 Procedures-

Day

Assignment

  1. Monday: Habitat

Ö   Use the following links to find out what a habitat is. Then, list different 3 types of biomes (one of which is rainforest) and at least 1 animal that lives there. We will discuss these in class Monday and make lists of biomes/habitats and animals. 

Ö   Little Explorer’s Dictionary

Ö   Zoom Rainforest

Ö   Biomes

  1. Tuesday: The Great Kapok Tree

Ö   We will listen to sounds of the rainforest and will read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. Then we will discuss the book and sounds and write journal entries.

Ö   Pick an animal from the book we read in class today or from the websites about the rainforest. Draw a picture of it and write why you think it’s important to protect the rainforest. (This is due Wednesday.)

 

  1. Wednesday: Research Day

 

 

 

               

Ö   We will briefly discuss importance of protecting the rainforest.

Ö   The rest of class will be devoted to researching your animal. Using the Internet sites below and from Monday, research your animal and its habitat. Find facts and a picture if you can.

Ö   Animals of the Rainforest

Ö   Rainforest Live

Ö   Jungle Photos

  1. Thursday: Work Day

Ö   Today will be in-class time for everyone to write/create a paper, short book, or brochure to show the class on Friday.

 

  1. Friday: Presentations and Games

Ö   Each student will briefly present his/her animal and habitat to the class.

Ö   Afterwards we will play Rainforest Tic-Tac-Toe.

 

 Student Assessment-

Students will be assessed based on the following rubric for their in class work and final project.

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Graphics - Originality

Several of the graphics used on the poster reflect a exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display.

One or two of the graphics used on the poster reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display.

The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others.

No graphics made by the student are included.

Grammar

There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster.

There is 1 grammatical mistake on the poster.

There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.

There are more than 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster.

Required Elements

The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.

All required elements are included on the poster.

All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.

Several required elements were missing.

Knowledge Gained

Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster.

Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster.

Mechanics

Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the poster.

There is 1 error in capitalization or punctuation.

There are 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.

There are more than 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation.

Content - Accuracy

 

 

 

At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster.

Class Participation

 

 

 

Student routinely volunteers and tries to answer questions willingly.

Student volunteers to answer questions a few times and tries to answer questions asked willingly.

Student does not volunteer but tries to answer questions they are asked.

Student does not willingly participate.

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