Teacher's Lesson Plan - Learning About Rain Forests

Unit of Study - Rain Forests
Content Area - Literacy
Grade Level - Fifth grade
Length of Lesson - 42 - 60 minutes
Behavioral Objective - The students will be able to research and write a report explaining the different characteristics of numerous types of rain forests.

Aim - What are the different characteristics of numerous types of rain forests?

Motivational Activity - I will have pictures of all different types of rain forests. I will then ask the students to try to guess what will be the lesson of the day.

Procedure -
1. First I will do my motivational activity.
2. Next we will define the word "characteristic." (A distinguishing trait or quality.)
3. We will read a story all about rain forests.
4. As we read I will point out important facts and pictures to look at.
5. We will have a class discussion about the story.
6. Next I will distribute "Rain Forest Fact Sheet." I will explain that this will be the beginning of our writing assignment.
7. I will have the students work in pairs to complete semantic maps using the fact sheet.
8. As the students are working I will be walking around the room providing praise and support where needed.

Fact Sheet:
1. What is a Rain Forest?
2. How many are there?
3. What kinds of animals live there?
4. What type of climate or weather is in a Rain Forest?
5. Describe the different seasons in a Rain Forest.
6. Which Rain Forest did you like learning about the most?

Different Rain Forests for Students to Research: Mongrove Forest, Equatorial Rain Forest, Subtropical Rain Forest, Monsoon Rain Forest, Montane Rain Forest, Tropical Rain Forest.

This was a great research report for the students. They really enjoyed taking part in it.

Writing Activity - The students will go on the computers and research each of the Rain Forests. They will write an essay detailing each Rain Forest and what their special characteristics are. They will be allowed to type their reports and print pictures.

Assessment - I will read each student's report and make sure they have answered each question on the fact sheet.

Group Work - I will allow the students to work with a partner and create their own Rain Forest. They will have to give it a name and explain the characteristics of the Rain Forest they have come up with. They will draw pictures to help the other students imagine it in their minds.

Sum It Up - I will ask the students the following question, "What have we leaned today about Rain Forests?"