Unit Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Shrinking Forest Growing Problem

For Students 9th - 10th
In this learning module, students will examine images of Brazil's Amazon rainforests that were captured by satellites between 1994-1996, to observe and measure the impact of deforestation over time. A download of a public domain software...
Article
PBS

Pbs Online: Journey Into Amazonia's Powerful Plants

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS Online explores the useful plants of the Amazon valley from the rain forest Amazonia. Content highlights a variety of selected plants: Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer, Bactris gasipaes, Hevea brasiliensis, Oenocarpus...
Website
Books in the Classroom

Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: The Great Kapok Tree

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site on the book "The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest" by Lynne Cherry includes a review of the book, a listing of things to notice and talk about, activities related to the book, other related books, and links to...
Interactive
Eduweb

Eduweb: Amazon Interactive

For Students 9th - 10th
Games and activities help students explore the Ecuadorian Amazon. Learn about the rainforest and the Quichua people who call it home, and experiment with running a community-based ecotourism project along the Rio Napo.
Handout
Other

Mongabay.com: Tropical Rainforests

For Students 9th - 10th
If you are interested at all in rainforests, this is an excellent place to further your learning. Read about the importance of rainforests, why they are disappearing, and plenty about both the animals and people who live in rainforests...
Handout
Globio

Glossopedia: Tropical Rainforests

For Students 3rd - 8th
Tropical rainforests are found along the Earth's equator. They possess a very special climate and are an integral part of the planet's natural system. Climate, plant and animal life, and indigenous peoples are discussed. Additionally,...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Amazonia Habitat

For Students 9th - 10th
The Amazonia Habitat is an exhibit from the National Zoo which highlights various aspects of the Amazon including habitat species, plant information, and more. The exhibit includes a virtual tour and an audio tour along with links to...
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Save the Moonflowers

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Margaret Mee (1909-1988) was a botanical artist who often traveled up the Amazon River alone in search of rare flowers to collect and paint. Even at the age of 79, she planned to return to the Amazon for another excursion. On...
Handout
Exploring Nature

Exploring Nature Educational Resource: Rainforests of the World

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about different rainforests around the planet. Find out geographical information, as well as typical plants and animals living there.
Handout
Other

Environmental Defense Fund: Chico Mendes: A Living Legacy

For Students 9th - 10th
Find a brief description of Mendes and a picture. There are also articles on Mendes and the changes he was able to bring about due to his environmental activism. A slide show with pictures of Mendes and the rubber tappers is available as...
Interactive
Eduweb

Educational Web Adventures: The Ecotourism Game

For Students 9th - 10th
Will ecotourism help preserve the rainforest? Decide what to do and read the consequences.
Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic Explorers: Endangered Ecosystems

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A great site with something for all grades. Do research on rainforests, follow field research on animals in Latin America, and show what you know through interactive assessments. Lots to see on this site which is a collaboration of...
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Journey Into Amazonia

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a unit on the Amazon Rainforest. It describes what a rainforest is, where they are located, the layers of the rainforest, and types of plants and animals found in the rainforest. There is a...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Birth of a Mighty River

For Teachers 3rd
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the Amazon River and its origins. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in drawing conclusions.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Journey Into Amazonia: Teacher Resources: Lesson Plan

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This lesson plan gives students the opportunity to learn about the wildlife of the Amazon, including creatures such as electric eels.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Newton's Apple: Teacher Guide: Rain Forest Animals

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Allow your students to learn about the Amazon rainforest by creating a model rainforest in your classroom. This site also gives you links to different resources about the rainforest.
Website
Other

Native American Indian Cultures

For Students 3rd - 8th
Extensive listing of the Native American Indian Cultures from Mexico and various parts of South America. Click on an Indian culture and obtain valuable information about each unique tribe.
Website
Other

Rainforest Action Network

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Rainforest Action Network deals with the preservation of our rainforests and what you can do to help.
Website
InterKnowledge Corp.

Geographia: Venezuela

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides extensive travel information about Venezuela including a vast array of historical and cultural details. Explore the landscape through a vivid photo journal.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers:levels of Life: Interrelationships in the Rainforest

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Research a plant or animal from the rainforest, identify its physical location within the rainforest and contribute information about that organism to a group project on rainforest habitats.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers:broom Forest: A Tall Trees Simulation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore environmental factors of an area that affect a species' characteristics over time. Construct a "broom" tree, sketch support structures similar to those used by the tall Amazon trees and explain the limitations of such structures.
Unit Plan
Eduweb

Eduweb: Indigenous Ecotourism

For Students 9th - 10th
This scholarly article overviews how ecotourism is tied to a survey of sustainable development in the case of Rio Blanco, Ecuador.
Lesson Plan
Michigan Reach Out

Newton's Apple: Rain Forest Animals

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Several activities to incorporate into your Rain Forest unit. This site does not focus only on animals.
Website
Other

Mongabay: Bolivia

For Students 9th - 10th
Gather information on the environment of Bolivia especially its forests. There are statistical facts, links to related articles, and suggestions for books to read.