The Great Kapok Tree By Lynne Cherry The Little Read The Great Kapok Tree By Lynne Cherry A Moose 2012

The Little Read The Little Read is an elementary education community-wide reading initiative of L-R University’s Visiting Writers Series “In Their Own Words.” “It is designed to provide quality literature for classroom use and to involve in meaningful ways parents and other community members in the educational process.” A Moose 2012

Our Book Study for 2012…. A Moose 2012

Meet Author Lynne Cherry Lynne Cherry is the author and/or illustrator of over 30 books for children. She uses books to teach children to respect the earth. She wants to show children they can make a difference, if they feel strongly about something, they can change the world! http://www.lynnecherry.com/events.htm A Moose 2012

Her Education Lynne earned her Bachelors degree at Tyler School of Art in Pennsylvania and her Masters degree in History at Yale University in Connecticut. A Moose 2012

What She Enjoys Lynne is an environmental activist who wants to help save the land, clean up rivers, save the forests, and help migratory birds. Her books were inspired by her love of nature. She enjoys canoeing and hiking. A Moose 2012

Other Interesting Facts She wrote the first draft of The Great Kapok Tree on an Amtrak train from New Haven, Connecticut to Washington, DC! Ever wonder how she creates her books? A Moose 2012

Let’s Learn More! A Moose 2012

Where is the Amazon Rain Forest? Setting Where is the Amazon Rain Forest? A Moose 2012

Rain Forest Facts The Amazon Rain Forest is the LARGEST Tropical Rain Forest in the world It covers 2 million square miles (3% of all land in the world and is about the size of Texas…..NINE TIMES) A Moose 2012

Rain Forest Facts Average Rainfall is 60-175 inches a year Average Temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit A Moose 2012

Rain Forest Facts The Amazon Rain Forest is home to about 2.5 million insect species, 40 thousand types of plants, and some 2,000 species of mammals. The Amazon Rain Forest is always hot so everything grows, and grows, and grows! 20% of the world’s oxygen is created in the Rain Forest giving it the nickname “The Lungs of the World” 20% A Moose 2012

The Kapok Tree This tree grows 200-230 feet tall Lets Measure it! Compare it! It has a very substantial trunk up to 10 feet in diameter with “buttresses”. The leaves are in groups of 5 - 9, and are about 8 inches long. The trees produce several hundred 6 inch seed pods. The fiber inside is light and very resistant to water and can be used in lifejackets, stuffing of teddy bears, pillows, mattresses and insulation. A Moose 2012

Rain Forest Layers Emergent – trees can reach 200+ feet and withstand tough weather Canopy – two levels Upper Trees grow from 100-150 feet and form a closed roof Always sunny with lots of light, the top of the rain forest Trees have smaller leaves Lower Richest level of animals and plants Trees have larger leaves Lots of beautiful flowers Nocturnal animals Understory – from forest floor to 80 feet Darkness, Silent and humid Hanging vines, shrubs and small trees Leaves are long and thin with “drip tips” Forest Floor- limited plant growth 1-2% of sunlight reaches through Poor soil with no deep roots Molds and fungus grow Middle Layer Shrub Layer Herb Layer http://www.tigerhomes.org/animal/layers-rainforest.cfm A Moose 2012

Are you ready to read YOUR book?? Let’s enjoy great some literature! A Moose 2012

A Moose 2012

Want to know more about these Amazon Rain Forest Animals? Research them! A Moose 2012

Animals found in the Amazon Rain Forest Emerald Tree Boa Tree Frog Three-Toed Sloth Urania Butterfly Tree Porcupine Tapir Giant Anteater Vindula Arsinoe Butterfuly Hoatzin Amazonian Katydid Poison Arrow Frog Chestnut-capped Puffbird Parakeet Blue Morpho Butterfly Brazilian Tree Frog Toucan Scarlet Macaw Bees Scamander Coati Ocelot Hamadryas Arinome Butterfly Red-legged Honey Creeper Papilio Androgeus Butterfly Violet-tailed Sylph Kinkajou Siproeta Stelenes Butterfly Iguana Woolly Monkey Moustached Tamarin Silky Anteater Boa Constrictor Anteater Anteos Menippe Butterfly Jaguar Parrot Squirrel Monkey Golden Tanager Red-necked Tanager A Moose 2012

Test Your Amazon Rain Forest Knowledge A Moose 2012

So what was the Author’s Purpose? A Moose 2012

How Can YOU Help the Amazon Rain Forest? Art & Writing Contest Due: Friday March 16th A Moose 2012

The Little Read Writing and Art Contest The Great Kapok Tree Writing Contest *Each second grade student can submit one written piece based on Lynne Cherry’s book The Great Kapok Tree. *Pieces may be in the form of a poem, descriptive essay, log entry, or any other written genre of the author’s choice using nature as the theme. *The winning pieces should be in the student’s handwriting and may be cursive or print. Illustration Contest *Second grade students can submit one piece of visual art based on the book The Great Kapok Tree. * All submissions should be the original work of the student and should address a nature theme. *All artwork should be no larger than an 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper. *Students may use media of their choice. (For example, colored pencils, chalk, paint, crayons, etc.) A Moose 2012