Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: The Great Kapok Tree
Students explore language arts by reading a children's book in class. In this tier two vocabulary lesson, students read the book The Great Kapok Tree and identify the use of vocabulary terms. Students define the selected vocab words and...
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The Great Kapok Tree - Economic Impact of Deforestation
Learners read "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. They, in groups, research the economic impacts of deforestation in areas with rain forest and identify resources that humans use from the rain forest.
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Students participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
Curated OER
The Kapok (Ceiba) Tree
Students explore the rainforest. They listen to The Great Kapok Tree and create a web using Inspiration software. They research kapok trees and create posters to make others aware of the plight of the rainforest. They role-play the...
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The Circle of Life: Food Chain
Students develop a flow chart using computer software to show a food chain combination. For this food chain lesson, students are first read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, then they create a story map of the story. Next, students...
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Rainforests: What Are They?
Second graders investigate rain forests by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson plan, 2nd graders read the book The Great Kapok Tree, and discuss what characteristics make up a rain forest. Students explore a habitat...
Curated OER
Writing Process
Students read "The Great Kapok" and choose to agree or disagree with the main character's decision. They gather and organize details from multiple sources to defend their standpoints. They begin prewriting steps of process writing.
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Paragraph
Fourth graders work through detailed steps to complete a paragraph on the story "The Great Kapok Tree." They gather details from the story, and choose a standpoint for the paper using the details as a defense. The students write their...
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Balanced Literacy Project
Fourth graders review all the materials they've studied about the rain forest and begin to organize their research paper by choosing a topic. They begin by rereading the introductory book, "The Great Kapok Tree," by Lynne Cherry as well...
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And the Rains Came Down: A South American Rainforest
Students examine the characteristics of a South American tropical rainforest. They analyze maps, develop graphs, listen to the book, The Great Kapok Tree, and create a rainforest mural.
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Rainforest/Informational Web Sites that are Credible
Fifth graders evaluate whether various rainforest websites are credible and can be used for research purposes. They listen to the story "The Great Kapok Tree," discuss what makes a website credible, and examine and evaluate various...
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Forests/Natural Resource Management II
Students write about the importance of trees. For this natural resources lesson, students look at deforestation occurring across the globe and present what they learned to the class. As closure, all students write a poem about the...
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Endangered Species and Extinction
Fourth graders explore endangered species and extinction. They discuss and write three reasons why it is important to save animals from becoming endangered or extinct. They discuss The Great Kapok Tree and write a letter discussing...
Creative Educator
Design a Rainforest Postcard
Send your class on an expedition through the rainforest! Along the way, they will write informational postcards to demonstrate what they've learned. Each team will be responsible for one of five rainforest regions. When they return from...
Curated OER
Chop, Chop, Who's There?
Students write a letter of persuasion about the problems facing the rainforest. They examine and write about how humans are destroying the rainforest.
Curated OER
Stewardship and the Rainforest
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students explore literature in order to understand the flora and fauna of the rain forest. Students investigate how stewardship is necessary to retain natural...
Curated OER
Visit the Rainforest
Fifth graders define what a tropical rain forest is, what animals and plants exist there and realize how important the tropical rainforests are to life on Earth. They work in pairs to access websites imbedded in this plan to research the...