1. The Great Kapok Tree A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry
A cyberlesson by Cynthia Violette
Grade 6
Reading 589
book cover at amazon.com

2. Introduction
Did you know that rainforests are important to the survival of all of the people on earth? Have you ever wondered what is so special about rainforests? What kinds of plants and animals live in the rainforest? How do they affect our lives? In this cyberlesson we will be reading a book to help us answer some of these important questions.

3. Materials copies of the book The Great Kapok Tree for each student
blank rainforest writing journal for each student
pens or pencils for each student
colored pencils, markers, or crayons
access to the Internet
Rainforest Scavenger Hunt
Persuasive Writing Guidelines
Persuasive Writing Words List

4. Before Reading
In class, you will soon be reading
the book The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. Before you begin to read, look closely at the book’s illustrations and its cover. Read the introduction on the inside cover of the book. In your new rainforest writing journal please write a paragraph in which you predict what this story will be about. Which pictures helped you make your predictions? Be sure to write in complete sentences.

5. What is a tropical rain forest? Where are they located?
Before Reading
What is a tropical rain forest? Where are they located?
Before you begin to read, let’s learn a little more about tropical rain forests.... Click on the frogs above to visit two websites that will teach you some important background information for reading The Great Kapok Tree. Visit the frog on the right first!
As you explore these websites, fill in this Rainforest Scavenger Hunt to help organize your thoughts.

6. During Reading: Section 1
Begin reading The Great Kapok Tree and read until the rainforest child speaks to the man.
The animals in the book give the sleeping man many reasons for not chopping down the Kapok tree. In your writing journal make a list of all of the reasons that the animals give the man.

7. After Reading: Section1
Review your list of reasons that the animals give the man for not chopping down the Kapok tree. Then go back and look at your answers to your scavenger hunt questions for the rainforest websites that you visited earlier. Using what you have learned from these sources, write a persuasive letter to the man telling him what you think he should do when he wakes up.
Click on the pencil to the left to see some hints
for writing a good persuasive letter. Click on
the dictionary and thesaurus to the right to see
a list of words that will help you write your letter.

8. During Reading Section 2
Read the ending of The Great Kapok Tree. What did the sleeping man decide to
do when he woke up? How does this compare to the predictions that you made in your journal before reading?
                                                                        

9. After Reading Section 2 ROLE PLAY ACTIVITY - Look back
over the story. Why do you think that
the man was going to chop down the
tree in the first place? Do you think
that he will get in trouble for not doing
what he was supposed to do? In
groups of two get together and plan
a short skit of what might happen
when the large man returns to find
the Kapok tree still standing. If you
were the smaller man how would
you defend your decision to let the
Kapok tree live? Be ready to
perform your skit for the class.

10. After Reading Book
Now that you have finished reading The Great Kapok Tree look back at the inside front cover of the book. This map shows the locations of both the tropical rainforests that exist today and the original extent of the rainforests. What is happening to the size of the tropical rainforests? In your writer’s journal discuss what is happening to the size of the tropical rain forests of the world? Write a short paragraph on how this makes you feel. After you write your paragraph, sketch or draw a picture to go with your paragraph that expresses your feelings.

11. Do you want to help save the tropical rainforests? Me too!
Beyond Reading
Do you want to help save the tropical rainforests? Me too!
In groups of three of four students, brainstorm some ideas of what you, as a student, might be able to do to help save the tropical rainforests. You can visit for some great ideas on how to get started from kids just like you! Pick one of these ideas and carry through on it. It will make you feel great!

12. Great Kapok Tree Rubric
Advanced
Adequate
Needs Improvement
Before Reading Writing Journal Activities
(predictions and Scavenger Hunt)
Student wrote in complete sentences. Answered all questions completely and thoughtfully. Journal is neat and organized.
Student answered most of the questions, but not completely or in detail. Journal is not necessarily neat and is not always written in complete sentences.
Student did not answer all of the questions. Little or no detail is provided. Student’s journal is not neat or written in complete sentences.
During Reading Activity
(Persuasive Letter)
Student’s position is clearly stated. Letter includes at least three supporting reasons for their position with relevant details. Student made use of persuasive writing vocabulary.
The student takes a position but it is supported with fewer than three reasons and not enough detail is provided. Student does not make use of any persuasive writing vocabulary
Student’s letter is missing or drastically insufficient. Student does not give adequate reasons for their position. Proper persuasive writing guidelines are not followed.
After Reading Activities
(Role Play Activity and journal entry)
The student demonstrates enthusiasm during the role play activity. After reading journal entry demonstrates reflective thought.
The student’s main focus during the role play activity seems to be task completion . The activity is carried out with little or no enthusiasm. Journal entry is technically correct but lacks reflection
The student does not participate in the role play activity. Journal entry is missing or does not demonstrate that the student has given the topic any thought.