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Language Arts Lesson on Rain Forests #3

Sara Broughton

Title: Saving the Rain Forest

Objective: Students will understand why rain forests are being destroyed and reasons why we should try to save them.

Content Area: Language arts (speaking) and fine arts

Materials: Butcher paper, markers or crayons, and a pencil

Directions: Begin this activity by brainstorming on the board the reasons for deforestation of the rain forests. Discuss this with the class. Next, brainstorm reasons why we should save the rain forests. Discuss with the class the disadvantages to destroying the rain forest and talk about how the inhabitants might feel. For the second part of this lesson have the students make "Save the Rain Forest" posters. Their posters should include why they should be saved and illustrations. The posters should be eye-catching and convincing to other people. Once the students have completed this they will each present their poster to the class. Each child should explain their poster and why they feel it's important to save the rain forests. At the end of the lesson you can provide the following addresses of some organizations they can become involved in if they wish.

Rainforest Action Network

301 Broadway, Suite A

San Francisco, CA 94133

Global Response Newsletter

P.O. Box 7490

Boulder, CO 80306-7280

Children's Alliance for Protection of the Environment, Inc. (CAPE)

CAPE International Office

P.O. Box 307

Austin, TX 78767

(512) 476-2273

Assessment/Evaluation: To assess this activity you could use a rubric in which the poster and presentation would both be evaluated.

Adaptation: For an extension to this activity you could have the students write to these organizations for more information and then share as a class. The posters could also be hung in the hallways for the rest of the school to see.