Target Languages: Spanish, French (French Guiana), Dutch dialects (Surinam and Guyana); lesson can be modified for other target language areas (Africa, Asia) where there are rainforests
Suggested Grade Level: upper primary
Goal(s):
describe layers of a tropical rainforest
locate animals in correct layer of the rainforest
Learning Objective(s):
creation of a mini-rainforest map
Materials/Resources:
Activity/reading & writing folders for each child for storage of materials between classes
rainforest grid (enlarge to copy on 11x17” paper)
South American rainforest animal stickers
stickers carries no captions; each packet has sets of assorted animals for twelve students; any brand may be used as long as all animals are native to South American rainforests. Some brands of stickers mix African and South American animals.
scissors
pencils
Flair pens in black; children love to do projects with these pens! See above.
Procedure for Teaching:
Review rainforest animals and layers of the rainforest.
Children help pass out grids and rainforest animal stickers.
Children blacken out sun with Flair pen according to the amount of sunlight
received in a particular layer.
Children stick animals in appropriate layer.
Children work in pairs and ask “¿Dónde vive en _________?”
“¿Quién vive en el suelo forestal?” “¿Cuánto sol hay en el nivel toldo?”
[Who lives in __________? Who lives on the forest floor? How much sun is there
in the umbrella layer?]
Assessment: Teacher circulates to assess informally, asking students questions.
Optional Extension for High-Achievers: Students add four or more animals
to the rainforest by drawing on blank 1x4" labels.
Home & School Connection: Students explain to family members the structure of a South American tropical rainforest – differing amounts of sunlight and different animals living in each layer.
for enrichment.
See my Art Projects page for classroom management suggestions to make this activity go smoothly.
