Description of the Process

Introduction

     Welcome to life in the rainforest! The rainforest is an incredible and beautiful place. It is home to millions of species of plants and animals. In fact, the rainforest serves as the home of over half of the earth’s animal species. There is so much to learn about this fascinating part of our world. Unfortunately, the rainforest is also in danger. While participating in this WebQuest you will not only learn how the rainforests are different from other biomes, but also discover why it’s important to have a better understanding and appreciation of the rainforest. You will also gain knowledge about the people, animals, and plants that call it their home. I’m hoping that as a result of this activity you will discover why it’s necessary to protect this rapidly vanishing resource.

Description of Task    

     As you research the rainforest you will discover and learn certain characteristics that distinguish the rainforest from other types of environments. For example, how are rainforests different from the type of forests we have here in New York State?
You will gather data to aid in completing graphs that compare rainforests with our weather in New York State. In addition to gaining a general awareness of the rainforest, you will create graphs that represent:
     *Average temperature
     *Average rainfall

     After a general understanding of rainforests has been developed, you will be participating in the following activities:

1. Individual Research Project
     You will choose a rainforest plant or animal (insects too!) that you would like to learn more about. You will take notes about your subject as you research it. You may also use any of the vast resources we have available in the classroom and library. Remember – do not copy the work of others. Instead you will state what you have learned in your own words. While you are conducting your research you may want to include information about the following:
   

**Remember these are just some suggestions. Please feel free to add any other information you feel is important.

**When you are finished gathering your research, you will create a PowerPoint slideshow to share with the class and parents.

2. Group Project
     Each member of the class will be placed in a group to complete a hallway rainforest mural. Each group will be assigned a layer and will be given a long strip of poster paper. On your mural you will include some plants and animals that would be found in your assigned layer. You will be allowed to use any other materials we may have available in the classroom (markers, tissue paper, string/twine, construction paper, etc…).

3. Compose a Persuasive Letter
     With everything you will have learned about the importance of the rainforest, I am sure you will be eager to write a letter persuading others that they should try to do their part in protecting them. Rainforest Action Network has asked that kids help convince Ford to start making cleaner cars. You will visit their site to learn more and compose and email them a persuasive letter.

4. Communicate with classmates through our class blog
    As we finish this WebQuest and unit you will each write a short reflection about your thoughts and feelings about this project and post it on our class blog site.
 

Description of the Process

You might be asking yourself the following questions:

• What is a rainforest?

• Where are rainforests located?

• What type of people, plants, and animals live in the rainforest?

• How are they being destroyed and what is being done to try to save them?

1. Your first task is to complete a concept web using the following websites:

    Topics you should be addressing on your concept web are:

What, Where, Plants, Animals, People, Destruction, and Preserving

2. You should also be aware of the layers of the rainforest? In order to contribute to the mural project you should take thorough notes about the layers of the rainforest.

Learning About Rainforests

All About Rainforests

Causes of Rainforest Destruction

Rainforest Slideshow

Virtual Rainforest Field Trip

Virtual Rainforest at Night

Interactive Rainforest

Rate of Rainforest Destruction

2. What makes a rainforest a rainforest? How are they different from our

     environment?

Comparison Between Two Very Different Environments

Average Yearly Rainfall in Selected Rainforests

Visual to Represent Differences in Rainfall

Create a Graph

*Site used to create graphs*

3. Want to check what you know? Take the quiz.

4. Use the following links to research an animal or plant you are interested in learning

    more about. Below are some things you may want to find out about your subject:

    *In what layer of the rainforest does your plant or animal live

    *How does it depend on the rainforest to survive
    *What does it eat
    *Is it a predator, if so what does it prey on
    *If it is not a predator, what animals may want it as food
    *What are the plant’s or animal’s characteristics
    *Is it nocturnal
    *How does it protect itself
    *Is your plant or animal endangered, if so why

Rainforest Animals

Rainforest Reptiles

Rainforest Plants

Plant Adaptations

Life in the Canopy

Life in the Understory

Life on the Floor

Rainforest Insects

5. Once you have completed your research, you will begin creating the rough draft 

    for your PowerPoint slides. Once you have completed the writing process you will

    begin to create your presentation. You may be also working on the group project at

    the same time. As you work on your group project you may want to use this site as 

    a resource.

Art Tips

6.  Upon the completion of this project, you will email a persuasive letter to a

     representative from an organization identified by the Rainforest Action Network 

     using below link.

Rainforest Action Network

7. One of the last things you will do in this WebQuest is write a brief reflection about this project. You will post your response on our class blog. You will also read the responses from others.

Class Blog Site

Evaluation

Are you wondering how your learning is going to be assessed?

Click here to view the rubric.

Conclusion

    I hope you have enjoyed learning about our world's rainforests.  I also hope that  

    you have become aware of what a valuable resource they are and why we need to

    take care of them.