Unit 3: Brazil, Lesson 10

Lesson 10: The Great Kapok Tree

Overview

Students will be introduced to the Amazon Rain Forest through a fictional read aloud, and will respond to it in writing that mirrors the ELA assessment. Then they will consider the plight of the rain forest today thorough a combination of photographs, video, a virtual field trip, and non-fictional articles.
Suggested time allowance: 3 class period(s)

Standards

SS 2.1, 2.2
ELA 2.1, 2.2, 3.1,3.2

Essential Unit Question

How has geography affected the development of Brazil?
Why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest?

Resources/Materials For This Lesson

Cherry, Lynne. The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990. Exhausted from his labors, a man chopping down a great kapok tree in the Brazilian rain forest puts down his ax, and, as he sleeps, the animals who live in the tree plead with him not to destroy their world. This modern fable with its urgent message contains an abundance of information in the text and in the lush paintings that portray the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
Photos of Deforestation in the Rainforest. Rhett A. Butler. Mongabay.com June 14, 2007 http://travel.mongabay.com/deforestation-am.html A selection of photographs.
The Rain Forest’s Ecosystem. Montana State University Education Department June 14, 2007 http://www.montana.edu/webquest/science/grades6to12/walsh A webquest during which students to research about the animals of the rain forest, keep a journal, and then share their finding with their classmates.
Tropical Rainforests. Camden Children’s Garden. A Virtual Field Trip. http://www.cilc.org/program_detail_new.aspx?id=1595 There is a cost associated with this program.
Tropical Rainforests: Saving What Remains. Chapter 10: “SOLUTIONS: How to Save Tropical Rainforests.”
Rhett A. Butler. June 14, 2007. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1001.htm Background for teachers.
"How Can We Save Rainforests?" Rhett A. Butler. Kids.Mongabay.com June 14, 2007. http://kids.mongabay.com/elementary/610.html This site contains readings for students and a wonderful page called “What You Can Do At Home to Help the Environment.” The reading level may be challenging for some students.
“Top 5 Forest Destroyers and Top 5 Forest Replanters.” Timeforkids.com. June 14, 2007. http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,48693,00.html A list with explanation.
Great Kapok Tree Extended Response (included)
Great Kapok Tree Rubric (included)

Activities/Procedures

Day 1

Read aloud The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry. Students will take notes while listening.

Day 2

Distribute the Great Kapok Tree packet. Review the directions and the rubric. Allow 45 minutes for students to complete written responses. This time frame can mirror ELA test situation.

Day 3

1. After brainstorming what students know about the rainforests, the teacher should pose the question, why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest?

2. Select appropriate resources from the list above, and direct students to discover the answer to why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest and what we can do about the problem.

3. Have students share their answers with the class.

Evaluation/Assessment

Teacher will use the rubric to assess The Great Kapok Tree SS/ELA written responses.

Vocabulary