1. Where did the rain forest go? A look at deforestation and the destruction of the Amazon Rain Forest: Day 1

2. “The Disappearing Rain Forest” “The Disappearing Rain Forest”  Read “The Disappearing Rain Forest.”  Discuss the following questions in your groups.

3. Disappearing  What are five specific facts from this article that show change in the ecosystem of the Amazon Rain Forest?  What are two potential benefits the rain forest could be used for?  Choose one of the cycles that we have discussed already this year (i.e. water cycle). Connect specific human activities and how they are impacting how that cycle functions in the rain forest.

4. Disappearing  Explain how the biodiversity of the Amazon rain forest compares to the rest of the world and the possible consequences of depleting this biodiversity.  In your groups, debate: in your opinion, which of the industries mentioned in the article has the greatest negative impact on the Amazon rain forest? Cite specific support for your opinion.

5. “Last of the Amazon” “Last of the Amazon”  Read “Last of the Amazon.”  Discuss the following questions in your groups.

6. “Last of the Amazon”  Identify the obstacles to legally protecting the rain forests, according to this article.  Explain the history behind the debate over land ownership in the Amazon basin.

7. “Last of the Amazon”  Identify four laws discussed in this article.  For each of the laws, what amount of potential do they have of actually saving the rain forest?  What amendments would you make to some of these laws? Why?

8. Amazon Deforestation  Watch the following video to learn about recent trends in the deforestation of the Amazon Rain Forest. http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=hxRX88 K0iUk http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=hxRX88 K0iUk

9. Interactive Map  Compare what you learned in the video to the information in the National Geographic Interactive Map. http://ngm.nationalgeog raphic.com/2007/01/ amazon-rain- forest/amazon-map- interactive http://ngm.nationalgeog raphic.com/2007/01/ amazon-rain- forest/amazon-map- interactive

10. “Tropical Deforestation”  Read “Tropical Deforestation” and look at the NASA resources.  Based on the articles we have read, the video, and the map, create a cause and effect map (using bubbl.us, Inspiration, or Glogster) showing how different practices in deforestation impact different areas of the environment. If possible, include information related to your assigned industry. Make sure to save your file to be used later. bubbl.usInspiration Glogsterbubbl.usInspiration Glogster