Final Lesson Plan
Project #2

Stephanie Rottier & Jill Blom
EDMT 380-002
Spring 2004

Adventures in the Rainforest

(based on lesson Exploring the Rain Forest Through Print, Graphics, and Sound, by Kyle Yamnitz @ http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/20.html)

Description:

Through multiple content area connections, students will explore various aspects of the Rainforest. By completing research, mapping activities, art activities, computer software activities, and video compilation activities, students will utilize information about the Rainforest in different ways.

Learner Analysis:

Grade level:5th, and 6th
Learners: Classroom of 25 students, four students with different levels of learning disabilities. Most read at grade level, except for two of the students with learning disabilities, and three students that read at levels above their grade.

Prerequisite Student Skills:
- Mapping
- Graphing
- Diary/journal
- Navigating internet resources
- Researching
- Computer use
- iMovie® use
- Digital camera use

WI Curricular and Technology Standards:

1. Language Arts
A.8.2. - Identify and use common media formats.
A.8.4. - Use a computer and communications software to access and transmit information.
B.8.1. - Define the need for information.
B.8.3. - Locate and access information sources.
B.8.4. - Evaluate and select information form a variety of print, non-print, and electronic sources.
B.8.5. - Record and Organize information.
C.8.2. - Appreciate and derive meaning from literature and other creative expressions of information.

2. Science:
A.8.1. - Use common media and technology terminology and equipment.
B.8.3. - Locate and access information sources.
B.8.4. - Evaluate and select information form a variety of print, non-print, and electronic sources.
B.8.5. - Record and Organize information.
B.8.6. - Evaluate the use of media and technology in a production or presentation.
C.8.2. - Appreciate and derive meaning from literature and other creative expressions of information.
C.8.3. - Develop competence and selectivity in reading, listening, and viewing.
D.8.1. - Participate productively in workgroups or other collaborative learning environments.

Technology Standards:
A.8.1. Use common media technology and terminology
A.8.2. Identify and use common media forms
A.8.5. Use Media and Technology to create and present information.
B.8.2. Develop information seeking strategies
B.8.3. Locate and access information sources
D.8.1. Participate productively in workgroups or other collaborative learning environments
D.8.2. Use information, media, and technology in a responsible manner.
D.8.3. Respect intellectual property rights.

Instructional Objectives:

Part 1: Using Amazon Trail, Rainforest Adventures as an icebreaker
Students will operate a software program that will allow them to collect information about the rainforest. Students will gain knowledge in preparation for following lessons.

Part 2: Reading about the rainforest
Students will collect information form a variety of books, and record that information in a journal. From this information, Students will then discuss their new knowledge with a group of other classmates.

Part 3: Mapping the rainforest
Students will identify the location of four rainforests on a map.

Part 4: Save the rainforest posters
Students will design, and produce, posters about saving the rainforest. These posters will include a narrative describing the purpose & meaning of their design.

Part 5: Internet Treasure Hunt
Students will examine information on 10 web page’s to answer a set of questions about each web page.

Part 6: Creating a rainforest
Students will create a depiction of the rainforest on the wall using knowledge about the layers of the rain forest and living things within its environment.

Part 7: Walk through the rainforest
Students will write a story about an imaginary walk through the rainforest.

Part 8: Creating an iMovie®
Students will compile still photos, and film clips, and voiceovers to reinforce the knowledge that they accumulated in the subject area. This will be a form of assessment.

Prerequisite Teacher Skills:
- knowledge of the rainforest
- knowledge of software
- knowledge of the internet
- knowledge of treasure hunts
- knowledge of iMovie® software
- knowledge of copyright and fair use guidelines
- knowledge of digital photography or scanner use

Materials Needed/Equipment Required:

- Amazon Trail Handouts (see below)
- Computer
- Amazon Trail, 3rd Edition, Rainforest Adventures®
- Books/Magazine or Journal Articles on the rainforest
- World map with Biomes depicted
- Poster board
- Markers
- Crayons
- Scissors
- Glue/Glue sticks
- Glitter
- Yarn
- Hole punch
- Treasure Hunt Worksheets (see below)
- Handout –Layers of the rainforest
- Butcher paper: green, brown, yellow, black
- Construction paper: Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Brown, Black
- Lined paper
- iMovie® software
- Digital camera
- Scanner
- Voiceover equipment
- Editing equipment

Activity Sequence:

Part 1:
1. Give students a short lesson on how to use software (Software Evaluation Page).
2. Give students handout to complete. This will ensure that every student learns the intended information (click for a copy: Amazon Trail Worksheet).
3. Have students use the simulation software individually during a computer lab time.

Part 2:
1. Ask students as a class what they already know about the rainforest.
2. Ask student to individually list new information they would like to find out about the rainforest.
3. Introduce books for research on the rainforest.
4 . Explain that every student will be expected to record all information in a journal.
5 . Explain that information will be shared with the class.
6 . Give students time to work on research.
7 . Discuss as a class what information the students found.

Part 3:
1. Students will be given a map with a key.
2. Ask students to locate what symbol stands for rainforest on the key.
3. Ask students to locate, and identify four areas where rainforests are present.
4. Share what students found about where rainforests are located.

Part 4:
1 . Make a list of reasons to save the rainforest.
2 . Explain to students that they will be making posters that will be sent to agencies that promote saving the rainforest.
3 . Pass out materials (see materials needed above).
4 . Give students time to work on posters.
5 . As a class, address the envelope to the agency, and send in mail.

Part 5:
1. Explain what an internet treasure hunt entails.
2. Give students handout of questions and web sites for the information to be found at (click here for a copy: Treasure Hunt Worksheet).
3. Collect information to ensure that students learned intended objectives.

Part 6:
1. Pass out worksheet on layers of the rainforest.
2. Share with the class a transparency of the layers and the plants/animals found in each layer of the rainforest.
3. Ask students what each layer might be like, and what its purpose might be.
4. Split the class into 3 groups, and assign each group a layer.
5. Explain that the class will be creating a lifelike rainforest for one wall, or portion of a wall, in their classroom.
6. Give students necessary materials (see materials needed above).
7. Take classroom picture in front of their rainforest.

Part 7:
1. Explain to students that they will need to write a fictional story about what they would see walking through the rainforest. Use this as a way to identify what is new information the student learned.
2. Give students time to write in their books.
3. Allow students to share their book with another classmate.

Part 8:
1. Students will be put into groups of six.
2. Students will begin taking photos, writing voiceovers, finding music, and possibly video clips that they will be using in their iMovie®.
3. Students will compile and determine what information they will be using on the rainforest and present it in a storyboard format.
4. With the teacher's approval, students will create their iMovie®.
5. Students will then edit their project, and when finished will turn into the teacher as a form of assessment on their knowledge of the rainforest.
6. The iMovies® will be presented to the entire class.

Last Updated May 13, 2004
Questions or Comments? Contact: rottiesj@uwec.edu

Final Lesson Plan Project #2

Final Lesson Plan
Project #2