Erase It! Deforestation

Erase It! Deforestation lesson plan

Fragile forests are disappearing! Learn why, discover the damaging effects, and inspire people to act now to save our Earth from this tragic loss.

  • 1.

    <STRONG>Our world’s forests are vanishing!</STRONG> Cities, parking lots, highways, and farmers’ fields are replacing green trees that once covered half the Earth’s land. Study maps to see where deforestation is happening. This barren land leads to erosion. Animals are losing their homes and habitats. How can we save our environment? Who can you ask to help erase this problem?

  • 2.

    <STRONG>How can habitats be saved?</STRONG> On white paper, use Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils to draw a dramatic before and after deforestation scene. If you change your mind, just erase. If only we could replace forests so easily! Show or describe actions we all can take to reduce deforestation.

  • 3.

    Give your ideas extra dimension by using Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. Erase highlights and create negative space. Add texture to plants and flowers by erasing. Create details such as stripes on animals. Fill some areas with a different color or medium.

  • 4.

    <STRONG>Share your message!</STRONG> Where can your class hang these posters to help others understand the urgency of solving this global problem?

Benefits

  • Students understand the importance of forests in the Earth’s ecological system.
  • Students learn about the various ways people are ridding the world of large evergreen, deciduous, and rainforest areas and how deforestation harms the environment.
  • Students determine how people can work together to slow or stop deforestation and illustrate the causes, effects, and solutions to this scientific problem.

Adaptations

  • Create a triarama depicting the causes and effects of deforestation.
  • With younger children and those with special needs, find hands-on ways to make this topic real. Compare different types of wood. Study tree rings to see how long it takes trees to grow. Find local areas where soil is eroding due to lack of vegetation. Tal
  • Discuss or debate how countries can balance resource conservation with the need for economic growth.
  • Assessment: Write or draw pictures to tell how individuals can help bring deforestation under control (such as recycling, planting trees and grass).