SMART Lesson Teacher NotesCreated by Heather Hurley
Instructional Technology CoordinatorArlington Traditional [email protected]
Prior Knowledge: none, this can be used as an introduction or as a review.
Cross Curricular Links: Social Studies/Geography
Grade(s): K-5
Title: Rainforest Layers
Topic: Animals/Plants of the Rainforest
Subject: Science
Directions: This lesson is meant to teach the layers of the rainforest.Students move the layer name to read the definition. They then click the box to find out what animals and plants live in the rainforest. Students click each picture to hear about a plant or animal that lives in that layer.
TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS
Location:
IN A BELT AROUND THE EARTH NEAR THE EQUATOR
THE CLIMATE IS ALWAYS________________________ AND
________________________
HUMID
WARM
GETS FROM 200 to 450 CENTIMETERS OFRAIN A YEAR!
FUN FACT:
RAIN FOREST LAYERS
Characteristics of this area include strong sunlight, changing temperature, changing humidity, strong winds,
one or two trees per acre.
Emergent Layer
Characteristics of this area include strong sunlight, changing temperature, changing humidity, acts like a
giant rain and sun umbrella.
Upper Canopy Layer
Characteristics of this area include limited sunlight, constant temperature, constant high humidity, many small
trees, shrubs and vines.
LOWER CANOPY
Characteristics of this area include almost no sunlight, constant temperature, constant high humidity, air is very
still, very few plants.
UNDERSTORY
Back
Emergent Layer
BackCanopy Layer
Back
Understory Layer
Back
Forest Floor
Back
Riverbank and Underwater
FACTS:
*CONTAIN THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SPECIES
*USED TO COVER 20% OF THE EARTHBUT NOW ONLY COVERS 7%
*EVERY DAY FORESTS ARE CLEARED FOR LOGGING, AGRICULTURE, AND OIL EXPLORATION