Welcome to the Greenhouse Teacher

OVERVIEW

After listening to a story summary about a tropical rain forest, children visit a Web site and view slides that illustrate daily life in a rain forest habitat. Using information they have acquired about rain forest animals, they complete an activity about a favorite rain forest animal and then use this information to play an interactive guessing game. Children conclude by exploring other rain forest Web sites that include virtual tours, detailed information on specific plants and animals, as well as ideas for several fun rain forest activities.

OBJECTIVES

Identify a variety of plants and animals that are found in a tropical rain forest environment.

Identify the physical characteristics of a specific animal that is found in a tropical rain forest.

Animals in Rain Forest

MATERIALS

STEPS

  1. Read the story summary to children. Talk about the plants and animals mentioned in the story. If possible, use photos or the book itself to familiarize children with some of the animals. Have them describe what they see and note the physical characteristics of each animal. Explore with children what happens to the animals and plants that live in a threatened habitat.
  2. Take children online to visit the Creative Connections, Children of the Amazon Web site at http://ccproject.org/cota/.
  3. View and discuss some of the slides that show plants and animals found in the tropical rain forest. Due to the number of photos, you may wish to preview the slides to select those to use with your class. Click on the text under each slide to learn more details about the image. Encourage children to comment on the physical characteristics of the animals. You may wish to record some of this information on chart paper or the chalkboard for later reference.
  4. Distribute the Welcome to the Green House Activity worksheet. Review the directions with children and have them record information about their favorite rain forest animal on this data sheet. Assist those who need help finding information in simple reference books. They can also consult some of the Internet sites mentioned in the extension activity below.

HOME CONNECTION

Children and their families can go on a rain forest scavenger hunt around their homes. A list of common rain forest products can be found at the Rainforest Alliance Web site at http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/resources/forest-facts/lives.html.

EXTENSION

Students and teachers can visit The Kid's Corner: Rainforest Action Network Web site at http://www.rainforestheroes.com/kidscorner/action/; the extensive content explores rain forests all over the globe. Materials include descriptions and photos of animals, plants, and people of the rain forests. Children can learn what happens when a rain forest is cut down, and seven steps they can take to stop rain forest destruction.

PRODUCT LINKS

Take children on an Internet Field Trip and learn more about the life all around us. Visit Houghton Mifflin Science DiscoveryWorks to study different kinds of living things.

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