Products of the Rain Forest
Description:
The purpose of this lesson is for students to recognize everyday products and relate them to the origins of the tropical rain forests. Students will see how products that originated in the rain forests are important to our daily lives.
Goals & Objectives:
The student will utilize rainforest products to reinforce how they affect our daily lives.
Materials & Sources:
Products:
Household items i.e. rubber such as ballons, erasers, gloves
Spices i.e. allspice, black pepper, ginger
Fruits and vegetables i.e. bananas, mangos, grapefruits
Procedures:
Motvational strategies: The teacher will say,"Since we do not live in the tropics, what does the rainforest have to do with us? That's a good question. If you live in a house or apartment, wash your hair, eat fruits and vegetables, need medicines, chew gum or wear sneakers, chances are you may be using products that are originated in the tropical forest."
Introduction: Rain forests provide a variety of products. These products include food, wood, rubber, important drugs and medicines.
Presentation: The teacher will explain to the students the origins and benefits of the products of the rain forests. He/she will show actual products and the pictures of the plants where the products originated from. Tropical plants, such as aloe, have been uses to treat many illnesses of the world's population. In fact, of the 3,000 plant species in the world that are known to contain anti-cancer properties, 2,100 are from the tropical rain forests. These plants can save lives. Household products such as rubber gives us surgical gloves, ballons, and band aids. Food that we take for granted originated in the jungle such as bananas, rice, cashews,tea and lemons. Spices like black pepper, chili, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla originated in the rainforests.
Practice: Each child will recieve a graphic organizer (teacher made using products stated in lesson) listing rainforest products. For each rain forest product the child will write a short description of how he or his family member uses it. Using a product from the list students will be asked to promote a product of the rainforest. They are to name the item, describe it, draw it, and describe why a consumer would want to use this item.
Assessment:
Children will choose five products which are the most important to them, They will work with a partner to compare and contrast their choices. Children will make an oral presentation of their choice of the three most inportant rain forest products and how they affect their daily lives.
Sources:
