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Subject: Language Arts
Title: Creating a Rain Forest
by Teddie Bordelon

Objective: Students will be able to list and explain the layers of a rain forest and the create their own.

Materials needed: Story "The Great Kapok Tree". This story comes from Macmillian McGraw-Hill, Level 9 reading series.

Directions: Read and discuss the story "The Great Kapok Tree". Share with the class, the layers of the rain forest transparency and the list of animals. Talk about what each layer is like and what its purpose might be. Discuss the types of plants and animals found in each layer. The nest part will consist of the actual making of the rain forest. Divide the class into groups. Give each group a piece of paper and have them recreate a layer of the rain forest using pictures of animals, construction paper and markers. After the groups are finished attach the forest layers together and hang them on a wall. The class can name their rain forest, if they wish. Discuss the relationship the rain forest has with society and the preservation of rain forests.

Evaluation: Students can be assessed during their group work on their knowledge of the layers, animals, and plants of the rain forest using a checklist. Formal evaluation can be done with a written test.

Adaptation: Students can also learn about where rain forests are located.. This can be used as a lesson for Social Studies. A study of rain forest products and the people who live there, can also be used.