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Rainforest Plants and Animals

Tropical rainforests are home to a vast variety of plants and animals. Students will learn about this ecosystem and create art depicting some of the species found there.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Rainforests are likely Earth's oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for around 60 million years. They exist on every continent except Antarctica and are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. Rainforests are described as tropical or temperate, depending on their location. Have students investigate some of the characteristics of rainforests as well as some of the many plant and animal species that live there. What are the characteristics of each layer (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor) of a rainforest? In which layer do most animals live? Where might you find the most brightly colored plants? How do decomposers such as termites, slugs, and worms help promote tree growth? How do rainforests help regulate global climate? What are some major threats to the health of the world's rainforests?

  • Step 2

    Have students look at images of some of the flora and fauna that grow in rainforests and use these to guide and inspire them as they create a vibrant rainforest scene.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to present their art and discuss some of the plants and animals they illustrated and why it's crucial to protect these amazing and important ecosystems.

Standards

SCI: Understand that events have causes, sometimes simple and sometimes multifaceted. 

SCI: Use evidence to support the concept that behaviors can be influenced by the environment and the environment is impacted by behavior. 

Adaptations

Have students create a diorama of a rainforest using four stacked boxes, one for each layer of the rainforest. Have them illustrate each layer by adding and labeling drawings, cut-outs, and/or Model Magic sculptures that depict some of the plants and animals that live there.

Ask students to write a story about the rainforest from an animal's point of view. They might describe a typical day in the life of this animal, any threats to the animal's existence, and what the animal wishes people would do to protect its environment.