RAINFOREST UNIT

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RAINFOREST UNIT
BY JERRY COMER
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ANALYZE LEARNERS

• This lesson will focus on the 3rd grade level.
• This lesson is for children who are approximately
  eight years old.
• The children will be in a normal classroom
  setting and will not need any special skills to
  achieve the unit objectives.

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ANALYZE LEARNERS CONTINUED

• The children will work together in groups and
  will complete projects in multiple subject areas.

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STATE OBJECTTIVES

• Science SC.3.4.2 observe, measure and record
  changes in living things (e.g., growth and
  development, variations within species).
• Science SC.3.4.4 observe and describe
  relationships among organisms in an ecosystem
  (e.g., sequencing food chains, behavior,
  adaptations, factors that effect populations,
  predator-prey relationships).
• Art VA.3.3.3 create a portrait.

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STATE OBJECTIVES CONTINUED

• Writing RLA.3.2.2 use the five step writing
  process (e.g., graphic organizers for prewriting
  descriptive words and details for drafting and
  revising use of simple dictionaries for editing
  and publishing conferencing to edit
  punctuation capitalization and spelling at
  developmentally appropriate level).
• Reading RLA.3.2.5 use a variety of sources to
  gather information (e.g., use dictionaries
  encyclopedias newspapers).

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SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS, MEDIA, AND
MATERIALS

• SITES USED
• http//www.geocities.com/mmooney49/rainforest.html
  Teacher oriented, lots of lessons and ideas.
• http//www.rainforestweb.org/ Teacher oriented,
  provides information for teacher about the
  Rainforest.

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SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS, MEDIA, AND
MATERIALS

• http//www.rainforestlive.org.uk/ Student
  oriented, games, information on layers, animals,
  plants, people.
• http//www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/teacherl/lesson5
  Fplans/rainforest/ Teacher oreiented, lots of
  lessons, project ideas, etc.

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SELECTING INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS, MEDIA, AND
MATERIALS CONTINUED

• MATERIALS
• PAPER
• PENCILS
• INTERNET ACCESS
• COLORED PENCILS
• CRAYONS
• PAINT
• PAINTBRUSHES

• PAPER PLATES
• SCISSORS
• GLUE
• CONSTRUCTION PAPER
• WORKSHEETS
• AMAZON BASIN BOOK

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS

• Day 1
• Read Amazon Basin by Jan Reynolds.
• Based on what they learned from the book, ask the
  students what types of animals, plants, and
  people do they think live in the rainforest.
• As a class, discuss the types of animals, plants,
  and people that live in the rainforest.

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS CONT.

• Day 2
• As a class we will go to a website where the
  students can read and learn about the rainforest.
  
• We will, as class go over some of the information
  on the website.
• The students will be able to play games on the
  site.

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS CONT.

• Day 3
• Students are assigned to research and write a
  paper on a plant or animal.
• The paper will be written using the 5 step
  writing process.
• I will have 2-3 minute conferences with the
  students to see why they chose their topic.
• During conferences, students will be exploring
  the site for information on their plant or
  animal.

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS CONT.

• Day 4
• Introduce the 4 layers of the rainforest.
• Each student will speak.
• Split the children into groups and assign them a
  layer to explain to the class.
• Have the groups give mini- presentations about
  their layer.
• Pass out worksheet on layers.

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS CONT.

• Day 5
• Students go to the library to do research on
  their topic.
• Introduce and explain the 5 step writing process
  to the students.
• Day 6
• Discuss why the rainforest is in danger and why
  it needs to be saved.
• Students will be split into groups and give
  mini-presentations on why the rainforest needs to
  be saved and how they would attempt to save it.

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UTILIZE MEDIA AND MATERIALS CONT.

• Day 7
• Students create a portrait of their animal or
  plant.
• Watch an educational video.
• Day 8
• Rough draft due and peer edit papers.
• Review all material learned in the unit.
• Papers will be turned in the following day.

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REQUIRE LEARNER PARTICIPATION

• I will able to keep the students on track by
  having them do different activities that
  challenge different subject areas.
• They will be active through projects, group work,
  and interact in online games.
• Asking the students questions keeps them on track
  and helps me figure out what keeps them
  interested and attentive.
• They will be giving group presentations, which
  keeps them involved.

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EVALUATE AND REVISE

• CLASS PARTICIPATION
• ATTENDANCE
• GROUP WORK/PRESENTATIONS
• WORKSHEETS
• RESEARCH PAPER
• PORTRAIT
• INFORMAL ASSESSMENT TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS
  COMPREHEND