SMART Lesson Teacher Notes C reated by Heather Hurley Instructional Technology Coordinator Arlington Traditional School 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 OF RAIN 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

Back Canopy Layer

Back Understory Layer

Back Forest Floor

Back Riverbank and Underwater

FACTS: *CONTAIN THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SPECIES *USED TO COVER 20% OF THE EARTH BUT NOW ONLY COVERS 7% *EVERY DAY FORESTS ARE CLEARED FOR LOGGING, AGRICULTURE, AND OIL EXPLORATION