Ecosystem in Danger: Brazilian Rainforest

Ecosystem in Danger: Brazilian Rainforest lesson plan

Protection of the world’s tropical rainforests is a key environmental strategy for keeping the Earth healthy. Demonstrate the delicate balance of life in a Brazilian rainforest with a 3-D triarama.

  • 1.

    Read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry. Research information about the rapid destruction of rainforests and the impact this is having on the planet. What plants and animals live in tropical rainforests? Why are they important? This project is one way to show what you learned about the fragile rainforest ecosystem.

  • 2.

    Cut a file folder into a large square. Fold the square diagonally in both directions, from corner to corner, and crease, creating an X in the center. Cut along a fold line from one corner to the center, making two triangle flaps.

  • 3.

    The two upper triangles are the background for your rainforest setting. With Crayola Twistables™ Slick Stix™ Crayons, fill them with leaves, branches, vines, and flowers. Blend the rich, bright colors with a cotton swab to look realistic. Design one small flap to look like the rainforest floor. The other flap will be tucked underneath it.

  • 4.

    Using Crayola Colored Pencils, draw a large tree trunk on the remaining file folder pieces and cut it out. Slightly mix two or more Crayola Model Magic® colors to make a realistic hue. Cover the tree trunk with Model Magic compound, using your fingers to give it a textured look. Glue it in the center of triorama.

  • 5.

    On Crayola Construction Paper, draw and color rainforest plants and creatures. Cut them out. Glue them into the triorama to create a 3-D effect. To complete your triarama as a science project, label the wildlife and write a report to describe the issues w

Benefits

  • Students gather information about rainforests and why their protection is so important to the Earth’s ecology.
  • Students design and build a triarama showing elements of a tropical rainforest.

Adaptations

  • Create posters and flyers to convey the rainforest conservation message and its urgency. Outline steps people can take to make a difference.
  • Analyze and debate the effects of changes in the Amazon rainforest during the last 20 years.
  • Draw a world map showing tropical and temperate rainforest locations. Identify the differences in each ecosystem.