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Rainforests of life: Geography resource

Explore the rainforests’ positive ecological impacts on the earth.

This primary resource introduces children to the geographical features of rainforests. Discover the positive ecological impacts that rainforests have on the Earth. How much of the world’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest? How much rainfall do the planet’s tropical rainforests receive each year? How many species of animals, insects and plants live in the rainforests?

Pupils will learn about different kinds of creatures that live in the rainforest and the environment that the rainforest provides in our National Geographic Kids’ Geography primary resource sheet.

The teaching resource can be used in study group tasks for discussion about weather and the water cycle in relation to the Earth’s rainforest. It could be used as a printed handout for each pupil to review and annotate, or for display on the interactive whiteboard for class discussion.

Activity: Ask children to use the information in the resource to make a leaflet about the positive impacts of the rainforests on the Earth. They could also make a poster about the Amazon rainforest, focusing on why it needs protecting. Pupils could use the resource as a starting point for discussion about the weather in the rainforest and how this links in to the water cycle. They could use the discussion to help them write a report or group project about the climate in rainforests. Ask children to copy the diagram showing the different layers of the rainforest onto a large piece of paper and colour it in. They could use the information provided to label their diagrams.

N.B. The following information for mapping the resource documents to the school curriculum is specifically tailored to the English National Curriculum and Scottish Curriculum for Excellence . We are currently working to bring specifically tailored curriculum resource links for our other territories; including South Africa , Australia and New Zealand . If you have any queries about our upcoming curriculum resource links, please email: [email protected]

This Geography primary resource assists with teaching the following Key Stage 1 Geography objectives from the National Curriculum :

Pupils should be taught to:

• identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles  
• use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to: key physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather

National Curriculum Key Stage 2 Geography objective:

  Pupils should be taught to: 

• identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
• understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region within North or South America

  Pupils should be taught to: describe and understand key aspects of:  

• physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
• human geography: types of settlement and land use, economic activity and trade links, the distribution of natural resources. Use maps and globes to locate countries and describe features

This Geography primary resource assists with teaching the following Social Studies First level objective from the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence :

• By exploring climate zones around the world, I can compare and describe how climate affects living things.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Second level Social Studies objective :

• By comparing my local area with a contrasting area outwith Britain, I can investigate the main features of weather and climate, discussing the impact on living things.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Third level Social Studies objective :

• Having investigated processes which form and shape landscapes, I can explain their impact on selected landscapes in Scotland, Europe and beyond.
• I can investigate the relationship between climate and weather to be able to understand the causes of weather patterns within a selected climate zone.
• I can investigate the climate, physical features and living things of a natural environment different from my own and explain their interrelationship.

Scottish Curriculum for Excellence Fourth level Social Studies objective:

• I can explain how the interaction of physical systems shaped and continue to shape the Earth’s surface by assessing their impact on contrasting landscape types.
• I can demonstrate an understanding of weather and climate by explaining the relationship between weather and air pressure .

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Rainforest habitats

What are rainforest habitats?

Rainforests are a kind of forest habitat . They are found in warm places, and are full of many tall trees and leafy plants. It’s called ‘rainforest’ because it also gets a lot of rain every year, helping all the plants grow.

Because rainforests are warm, wet and dense, they are full of life – millions of different kinds of plants and animals live there, and some haven’t even been discovered yet! It’s important to protect rainforest habitats for all the creatures who live there, and for humans too; rainforests produce 20% of the oxygen that all of us in the world need to breathe.

Top 10 facts

• Rainforest habitats are forests located around the tropics, which is a zone around the equator.
• Rainforests are different from other forests in the world because they get a lot of rain every year – this makes them damp and humid.
• There are five main spots where rainforest habitats are located – Africa, Asia, Australia , Central America and South America.
• The largest rainforest habitat in the world is the Amazon rainforest in South America.
• Rainforests are full of millions of different kinds of plants, animals and insects – some haven’t even been discovered yet!
• About 80% of life in the rainforest can be found in the canopy, which is where the branches and leaves of most of the trees join up to form a kind of umbrella.
• Other layers of the rainforest are emergents, which are trees that grow a bit taller than the canopy; the understory, which is the bit just below the canopy; then shrubs below that; then the ground.
• Animals and reptiles move around the canopy by flying, jumping, swinging on vines and gliding.
• We depend on rainforests because they are so full of life, and all the plants and trees produce around 20% of the oxygen in the world that we need to breathe.
• There are many things threatening rainforests and actually making them smaller rather than growing larger. It’s important to protect these habitats by caring for the environment .

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Did you know?

• Rainforest habitats can be found near the very middle of the Earth – around the equator. This is also called the tropics, and temperatures never get down to freezing there.
• Rainforests get a lot of rain – at least 200cm every year, and sometimes a lot more than that!
• The Amazon rainforest in South America is the largest rainforest habitat in the world. The Amazon rainforest reaches over many countries, but most of it is in Brazil .
• Other rainforests in the world are in Africa (mostly in the Congo), Asia (mostly in Indonesia), Australia and Central America.
• Scientists think that over half of all the plant and animal species in the whole world live in rainforest habitats.
• Most of the creatures who live in rainforest habitats actually live high up in the trees in an area called the canopy. Up there, it’s hot and dry, while the ground in the rainforest is dark and humid.
• Living in the canopy means you can’t see a lot of what’s going on – there are a lot of leaves in the way. So, some animals rely on sound: they call to each other, and can recognise when another of their species is calling back.
• Even though most creatures prefer living in the canopy, it’s not right for everything. Larger animals live on the ground layer, like tapirs, jaguars, and even elephants. Can you imagine an elephant jumping around in the tops of trees?!
• About 25% of the medicines we use come from plants in the rainforest . We only know a little bit about the natural medicines that the rainforest holds.

Have a look through the gallery and see if you can spot all of the following:

• A map showing where you can find most of the world’s rainforests
• A map showing where the Amazon rainforest is in South America
• Mollem National Park in Goa, India
• A waterfall in the rainforest
• Boa constrictor
• Poison dart frog
• Long horned beetle
• Lianas (vines) in the rainforest

Tropical rainforests are found in the hottest parts of the globe: northeast Australia, Amazonia, Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia and New Guinea.

There are a few rainforests in cooler parts of the world called temperate rainforests . Temperate rainforests still get a lot of rain, but because they aren’t as warm so there aren’t as many plants. Most trees in temperate rainforests will also have needle leaves instead of broad leaves. Temperate rainforests are located along the northwest coast of North America, and in parts of Chile, New Zealand and Australia.

In the rainforest, plants grow fast because it is always warm and there is plenty of water. Hardwood, tall trees like mahogany, rosewood and ebony thrive and lots of smaller plants grow on them like creepers, trying to get some sunlight. Leaves and fruits are produced year-round in the rainforest, which makes it a wonderful place for animals.

Teeming with plant and animal life, the rainforest is the richest ecosystem on Earth .

The rainforest habitat has lots of layers :

• Forest floor – the ground of the rainforest, with soil and fallen trees and leaves
• Shrub layer – includes shorter plants like shrubs and young tree saplings growing above the ground layer, competing to get the most sunlight and food
• Understory – a layer just below the canopy that includes ferns and vines that start growing above the ground, on trees; this gives them an advantage over plants that start growing on the ground because they have that little bit more sunlight
• Canopy / forest roof  – the top layer of the rainforest where most of the trees have stopped growing, and where 80% of life in rainforest habitats can be found; it can be as high as 100 metres above the ground
• Emergents – describes anything that grows above the canopy; emergents can be seen poking out on top of the canopy layer

Animals and reptiles that live in rainforest habitats include:

• boa constrictor
• forest elephant
• giant anteater
• poison dart frog
• spider monkey

Insects and bugs that live in rainforest habitats include:

• clear winged butterfly
• goliath bird eater spider
• leaf insect
• leafcutter ant
• long-horned beetle

Trees and plants that you can find in rainforests include:

• cacao tree (where we get chocolate from!)
• carnivorous plants (plants that eat insects!)
• lianas (vines)
• rubber tree

Rainforest habitats are getting smaller. This is because forests are being destroyed because of mining, cutting down trees to use the wood to make things, building roads and making space for farmland. All those animals and insects who used to live in those bits of rainforest that have been destroyed have had to find new homes, or have died. The plants that used to be there are gone.

We need rainforests because all those trees and plants produce around 20% of the oxygen that we need to breathe. The trees also absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that the Earth has too much of at the moment. It’s making the planet temperatures get warmer, which is affecting many other habitats around the world. So, it’s very important that we help keep rainforest habitats healthy and growing by caring for the environment and not cutting down any more rainforest trees.

Words to know:

Canopy – the top layer in the rainforest where most of the tree branches and leaves join up to form an umbrella; most life in the rainforest lives up in the canopy Epiphytes – a plant that grows on another plant; some plants in the understory are epiphytes because they start growing on tree trunks rather than starting on the forest floor, where there’s not much light Forest floor – the rainforest ground, which is damp and humid; where larger animals live Understory – the bit just below the canopy where some plants grow and where animals who live in the canopy may look for food, and where most birds have their nests

Related Videos

Just for fun...

• Learn how chocolate travels from rainforests to us
• Print off and colour in these pictures of rainforest plants and animals
• Play Jungle Rangers online
• Find out facts about the Daintree Rainforest in Australia
• Make your own rainforest diorama
• Complete some rainforest activity sheets

Best rainforest books for children

Find out more:

• Watch a BBC Bitesize introduction to rainforest habitats
• Tropical rainforests
• See an annotated guide to the Amazon rainforest
• The National Geographic guide to rainforests
• Discover the rainforest's different layers
• Rainforest animals
• Rainforest Alliance: virtual rainforest visits
• Fascinating facts about the Amazon for kids
• Tropical v temperate rainforests
• Download a fantastic Rainforest Activity Pack from the Rainforest Foundation UK
• Download rainforest maps  and rainforest diagrams
• Watch a group of young explorers from the UK visit the rainforest
• Find out about animals who live in rainforest habitats

See for yourself

• Visit a virtual rainforest in Panama from your computer: listen to the animals and explore the lush green plants
• Rainforests are noisy places – which animals make the most noise?
• Learn about the different layers of the rainforest  in a DKfindout! guide

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Rainforests

This list supports the teaching of science through the topic of Rainforests. Providing ideas and resources for linking aspects around Rainforests to science topics such as:  plants, habitats, food chains, adaptation, classification, sound, materials, changing state and electricity.

Visit the primary resources for cross curricular topics webpage to access all resource lists: https://www.stem.org.uk/cross-curricular-topics-resources

Monsoon Proof Roof

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Primary Upd8

  Materials

How would you construct a home? What materials would you construct a home with ? Taking account of the weather conditions in the rainforest, test and decide on which would be the best materials for a roof/walls etc for a tropical home.

This resource provides a practical context to explore the uses of everyday materials, based on their properties. Children are introduced to a problem of building a flood- proof home, which is faced by families in local communities in Bangladesh, looking at solutions that have been developed to solve this problem. This leads into an investigation in which children devise different types of enquiries to find out if a local material, straw, is the best material to use or if a different material would be better.

Parts of a Plant and Their Functions *suitable for home teaching*

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS)

The Rainforests contain the widest range of plants of any other habitat in the World.

Describe the functions of the parts of the plant and then use an unusual rainforest plant to compare and contrast the parts between a commonly recognised plant e.g. dandelion and a giant water lily.

This resource has a variety of activities which introduces the children to the structure and function of the parts of a flowering plant. The ideas are varied such as splat, loop cards and bingo. 

Living Processes and What Plants Need to Grow

Quality Assured Category: Cross curricular Publisher: Science & Plants for Schools (SAPS)

Relating differences between root structures and how there are plants in the rainforest which have root structures which are different to the ‘normal’ root structures which we tend to use as examples with the children . This could lead into an investigation to observe the functions of roots and even stems in the functions around supporting the plant and obtaining nutrition.

Further investigations could lead into the function of leaves in the growth of plants and this could then be  developed and related back to the canopy levels in the rainforest and how the level of light in these canopies are reflected in the types of leaves the plants have at the different canopy levels.

This resource contains many investigations related to how plants grow and the factors which affect plant growth.

Plants in Their Natural Environment

 Look at how the rainforest plants have adapted to suit the life in the rainforest with the temperatures, humidity and amount of rainfall. The Plant adaptation file is a powerpoint which provides a good starting point for the pupils to understand the basics and then further develop their own ideas and examples from the rainforest.

Using this resource (first one in list ) as a base focussing on UK habitats the pupils can then recreate their own for a rainforest habitat. Activity 3,4 and 7 are particularly useful for this and Activity 7 does contain a rainforest example.

Reproduction and Life Cycles - Part 2

 Look at different types of seed dispersal within the rainforest and which dispersal method works best depending on their position in the rainforest or the type of seed it is .

 Is there a link between the size of the seed and the method of dispersal?

How does the size of the plant affect the type of seed it produces?

Does the position in the rainforest canopy affect the type of seed dispersal?

This resource provides a breakdown of the major types of seed dispersal and the characteristics of each which the children can then apply to their rainforest examples before designing and  creating their own seeds.

Temperate Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest (Age 7 to 11)

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Wildscreen ARK (previously ARKive)

This resource enables the children to conduct a hands-on investigation of the living things in a small local ecosystem, catalogue their findings and then compare their findings to that of the temperate rainforest. The comparison provides children with an appreciation for the uniqueness and biodiversity of the temperate rainforest. They are able to understand that this ecosystem is the home for a range of endangered species whose survival will depend on keeping this habitat intact. This can then lead into a research study around the destruction of these habitats.

Destruction of habitats -

The final activities in this resource give the children the opportunity to understand and become advocates for protecting ‘hotspot habitats’ to demonstrate how everybody can contribute to their survival.

Save our home!

Quality Assured Category: Cross curricular Publisher: Wellcome Trust

Destruction of habitats -What is the common link between chocolate biscuits and orangutans? In this activity children learn about rainforests, their location, structure and some of the animals and plants that live in them. They look at rainforests in Sumatra and how deforestation has occurred in order to grow oil palm plantations and how this has affected Sumatran orangutans.

The children can research the reasons for and against the destruction of the rainforest habitats and the threats they are/have been faced with over the past few decades. What are  the effects that this has had on the animals, plant and people who live in the rainforests and beyond the immediate environment to a more global potential impact . Is there a link between deforestation and climate change?

Beloved Burger

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Wellcome Trust

Destruction of habitats

This play looks at how an increase in the demand for meat can affect tropical rainforests. It explores some of the consequences for; animals and plants living in these areas, farmers and our planet. It would great for use in an assembly or in class, when learning about rainforests, healthy eating and sustainability.  It contains roles for everyone in a class, music and sound effects and guidance for performance.

Challenge the class to think about what steps they can take to help save the rainforests. Following the research on this very emotive issue have a debate with the children taking sides as either conservationists or foresters or coffee/cocoa/rubber farmers.

The children could then discuss any local areas where habitats have been destroyed ( new building projects or bypasses etc ) and begin to research and  study how they could support the habitat with the creation of insect homes (bug huts ), wildlife gardens (butterfly friendly plants) and feeding areas e.g. bird feeders etc.

Sky have developed a range of resources based around saving the rainforest which include videos , lesson plans ,activities and  competitions.    

Newly Discovered Species (Age 7 to 11)

Classification The children can identify nine newly discovered amphibian species using a simple dichotomous key. They can then look at photographs of a variety of newly discovered species identifying key features that differentiate them in order to create their own classification keys. Children within the class can then create keys for one of two different sets of species so they can then swap with their peers and use their newly created keys to identify the other set of species. This can then be extended to using keys to identify a range of familiar plants or animals from the rainforest then developing their own simple keys for the rainforest plants and animals possibly even for different canopy levels.

Once the children are able to recognise a variety of the animals living in the rainforest they can then begin to group them and start to look at the different characteristics  between mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and insects . This could then lead into opportunities for creating classification systems using the Carl Linneaus classification system

Generating Electricity

Quality Assured Category: Science Publisher: Centre for Industry Education Collaboration (CIEC)

  Electricity

Once the children are familiar with simple circuits ,not only the construction of them but also the drawing of them, extend this further with the help and application of these resources which will help to put curriculum science in a real life context. The activities provide opportunities for children to extend their understanding of electricity by applying it to activities such as: * switches and designing a circuit to switch on an alarm which could be used in the context as shown in the resource example or ..using your knowledge of electrical circuits can you plan, design then create an alarm system which would warn the local people or inhabitants that they are soon going to be flooded.

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Rainforests

Subject: Geography

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

28 June 2023

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Full unit of work for tropical rainforests. All lesson are suitable for 50 minutes to 1 hour of teaching time. Includes supporting worksheets for lessons - no additional resources are required.

All lessons have a starter and lesson objectives. All PowerPoints in the same signature style.

Lesson sequence:

1 - Rainforest introduction 2 - Exploring the wilderness 3 - Layers of the rainforest 4 - Life in the rainforest 5 - Climate of the Amazon 6 - Deforestation 7 - What does deforestation contribute to climate change? 8 - Deforestation mystery 9 - Can we save the rainforests? 10 - ICT research project 11 - Student presentations 12 - Produce from the rainforest 13 - Sustainability 14 - Sustainable tourism 15 - How to survive in the rainforest 16 - End of unit test

Also includes Geography Literacy mat and Geography Numeracy/Map Skills mat.

For more resources visit This is Geography . Full SoW for all new GCSE specifications - AQA , Edexcel , OCR , CIE IGCSE , Edexcel IGCSE and Eduqas . As well as over 200 lessons for KS3 and KS2 . Want something bespoke designing? Email us for further details [email protected]

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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Middle School Geography - 5 Years of Teaching

This bundle contains 304 lessons and is suitable for teaching the whole of KS2 and KS3 Geography at Middle School. Recommended sequence: Year 5 Bizarre Biomes Map Skills & The UK How We Live Where We Live Year 6 Crumbling Coasts The Problem with Resources Dangerous Earth Year 7 Rainforests UK, Weather and Climate Population Year 8 Coasts Extreme Environments Tourism Fragile Environments Year 9 Kenya: Learning Through Enquiry Development Gap Energy China For more resources visit [**This is Geography**](http://thisisgeography.co.uk). Full SoW for all new GCSE specifications - [AQA](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/gcse/), [Edexcel](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edexcel), [OCR](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ocr/), [CIE IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/igcse/), [Edexcel IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edec/) and [Eduqas](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/eduqas/). As well as over 200 lessons for [KS3](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks3/) and [KS2](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks2/). Want something bespoke designing? Email us for further details [[email protected]](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/bespoke-modules-2/)

Geography - 5 Years of Teaching (AQA)

This bundle contains 322 lessons and is suitable for teaching the whole of KS3 Geography and the AQA 1-9 GCSE. Recommended sequence: Year 7 Map Skills Rainforests Settlement UK, Weather and Climate Year 8 Coasts Extreme Environments Tourism Natural Hazards Fragile Environments Year 9 Kenya: Learning Through Enquiry Development Gap Energy Population The Challenge of Natural Hazards Year 10 The Living World Urban Issues and Challenges Physical Landscapes in the UK Year 11 The Challenge of Resource Management The Changing Economic World For more resources visit [**This is Geography**](http://thisisgeography.co.uk). Full SoW for all new GCSE specifications - [AQA](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/gcse/), [Edexcel](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edexcel), [OCR](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ocr/), [CIE IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/igcse/), [Edexcel IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edec/) and [Eduqas](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/eduqas/). As well as over 200 lessons for [KS3](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks3/) and [KS2](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks2/). Want something bespoke designing? Email us for further details [[email protected]](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/bespoke-modules-2/)

KS3 Geography - 3 years of teaching

This bundle contains 205 lessons and is suitable for teaching the whole of KS3 Geography. If bought alongside the AQA GCSE bundle you can buy a whole 5 years of teaching resources. Recommended sequence: Year 7 Map Skills Rainforests Settlement Climate Change UK, Weather and Climate Year 8 Coasts Extreme Environments Tourism Natural Hazards Fragile Environments Year 9 Kenya: Learning Through Enquiry Development Gap Energy Population The Challenge of Natural Hazards For more resources visit [**This is Geography**](http://thisisgeography.co.uk). Full SoW for all new GCSE specifications - [AQA](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/gcse/), [Edexcel](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edexcel), [OCR](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ocr/), [CIE IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/igcse/), [Edexcel IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edec/) and [Eduqas](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/eduqas/). As well as over 200 lessons for [KS3](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks3/) and [KS2](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks2/). Want something bespoke designing? Email us for further details [[email protected]](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/bespoke-modules-2/)

KS3 Geography - Rainforests, Volcanoes & Other Hazards and Environmental Issues

50 lessons for 3 core KS3 geography topics. All lesson are suitable for 50 minutes to 1 hour of teaching time. Includes supporting worksheets for lessons - no additional resources are required. For more resources visit [**This is Geography**](http://thisisgeography.co.uk). Full SoW for all new GCSE specifications - [AQA](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/gcse/), [Edexcel](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edexcel), [OCR](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ocr/), [CIE IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/igcse/), [Edexcel IGCSE](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/edec/) and [Eduqas](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/eduqas/). As well as over 200 lessons for [KS3](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks3/) and [KS2](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/ks2/). Want something bespoke designing? Email us for further details [[email protected]](https://thisisgeography.co.uk/bespoke-modules-2/)

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Not quite fully as fully resourced as it claims. I have needed to add a few tasks, slides and diagrams to the indigenous peoples and nutrition cycle lessons. Nevertheless this is proving to be a strong base for my lessons as a lone non specialist geography teacher! Many thanks.

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Mark_Wales_2

Do not waste £9 on this resource. It is criminal that it is being charged for. The first PPT makes no sense and has no instructions for the Questions of Rainforest. Wander into PPT 2 and it has them copying off the board. Very upset to have been conned out of money for this rubbish

tanyawright1

Thembindhlovu.

Such a great resource, a variety of activities, saved me tons of time! Thank you so much for sharing.

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A rainforest is an area of tall trees and a high amount of rainfall.

Biology, Ecology, Geography

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A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall .

Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems , with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly diverse and complex , home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just six percent of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna ; a 10-square-kilometer (four-square-mile) patch can contain as many as 1,500 flowering plants, 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds and 150 species of butterflies.

Rainforests thrive on every continent except Antarctica. The largest rainforests on Earth surround the Amazon River in South America and the Congo River in Africa. The tropical islands of Southeast Asia and parts of Australia support dense rainforest habitats . Even the cool evergreen forests of North America’s Pacific Northwest and Northern Europe are a type of rainforest.

Rainforests’ rich biodiversity is incredibly important to our well-being and the well-being of our planet. Rainforests help regulate our climate and provide us with everyday products.

Unsustainable industrial and agricultural development , however, has severely degraded the health of the world’s rainforests. Citizens , governments , intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are working together to protect these invaluable but fragile ecosystems.

Rainforest Structure 

Most rainforests are structured in four layers: emergent, canopy , understory , and forest floor . Each layer has unique characteristics based on differing levels of water, sunlight, and air circulation . While each layer is distinct , they exist in an interdependent system: processes and species in one layer influence those in another.

Emergent Layer  

The top layer of the rainforest is the emergent layer. Here, trees as tall as 60 meters (200 feet) dominate the skyline. Foliage is often sparse on tree trunks, but spreads wide as the trees reach the sunny upper layer, where they photosynthesize the sun’s rays. Small, waxy leaves help trees in the emergent layer retain water during long droughts or dry seasons . Lightweight seeds are carried away from the parent plant by strong winds .

In the Amazon rainforest, the towering trees of the emergent layer include the Brazil nut tree ( Bertholletia excelsa ) and the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra ). The Brazil nut tree, a vulnerable species , can live up to 1,000 years in undisturbed rainforest habitats. Unlike many rainforest species, both the Brazil nut tree and the kapok tree are deciduous —they shed their leaves during the dry season.

Animals often maneuver through the emergent layer’s unstable topmost branches by flying or gliding. Animals that can’t fly or glide are usually quite small—they need to be light enough to be supported by a tree’s slender uppermost layers.

The animals living in the emergent layer of the Amazon rainforest include birds, bats, gliders, and butterflies. Large raptors , such as white-tailed hawks ( Geranoaetus albicaudatus ) and harpy eagles ( Harpia harpyja ), are its top predators .

In rainforests on the island of New Guinea, pygmy gliders populate the emergent layer. Pygmy gliders ( Acrobates pygmaeus ) are small rodents that get their name from the way flaps of skin between their legs allow them to glide from branch to branch.

Bats are the most diverse mammal species in most tropical rainforests, and they regularly fly throughout the emergent, canopy, and understory layers. For instance, one of the world’s largest species of bat, the Madagascan flying fox ( Pteropus rufus )—found on the African island of Madagascar—is an important pollinator that mainly feeds on juice from fruit, but will chew flowers for their nectar .

Canopy Layer 

Beneath the emergent layer is the canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly six meters (20 feet) thick. The canopy’s dense network of leaves and branches forms a roof over the two remaining layers.

The canopy blocks winds, rainfall, and sunlight, creating a humid , still, and dark environment below. Trees have adapted to this damp environment by producing glossy leaves with pointed tips that repel water.

While trees in the emergent layer rely on wind to scatter their seeds, many canopy plants, lacking wind, encase their seeds in fruit. Sweet fruit entices animals, which eat the fruit and deposit seeds on the forest floor as droppings . Fig trees, common throughout most of the world’s tropical rainforests, may be the most familiar fruit tree in the canopy.

With so much food available, more animals live in the canopy than any other layer in the rainforest. The dense vegetation dulls sound, so many—but not all—canopy dwellers are notable for their shrill or frequent vocalizing. In the Amazon rainforest, canopy fruit is snatched up in the large beaks of screeching scarlet macaws ( Ara macao ) and keel-billed toucans ( Ramphastos sulfuratus ), and picked by barking spider monkeys and howler monkeys. The silent two-toed sloth chews on the leaves, shoots, and fruit in the canopy.

Thousands and thousands of insect species can also be found in the canopy, from bees to beetles, borers to butterflies. Many of these insects are the principal diet of the canopy’s reptiles, including the "flying" draco lizards of Southeast Asia.

Understory Layer

Located several meters below the canopy, the understory is an even darker, stiller, and more humid environment. Plants here, such as palms and philodendrons , are much shorter and have larger leaves than plants that dominate the canopy. Understory plants’ large leaves catch the minimal sunlight reaching beyond the dense canopy.

Understory plants often produce flowers that are large and easy to see, such as Heliconia , native to the Americas and the South Pacific. Others have a strong smell, such as orchids. These features attract pollinators even in the understory’s low-light conditions.

The fruit and seeds of many understory shrubs in temperate rainforests are edible . The temperate rainforests of North America, for example, bloom with berries.

Animals call the understory home for a variety of reasons. Many take advantage of the dimly lit environment for camouflage . The spots on a jaguar ( Panthera onca ), which are found in the rainforests of Central and South America, may be mistaken for leaves or flecks of sunlight, for instance. The green mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, blends in with foliage as it slithers up branches in the Congo rainforest. Many bats, birds, and insects prefer the open airspace the understory offers. Amphibians, such as dazzlingly colored tree frogs, thrive in the humidity because it keeps their skin moist.

Central Africa’s tropical rainforest canopies and understories are home to some of the most endangered and familiar rainforest animals—such as forest elephants, pythons, antelopes, and gorillas. Gorillas, a critically endangered genus of primate , are crucial for seed dispersal . Gorillas are herbivores that move throughout the dark, dense rainforest as well as more sun-dappled swamps and jungles . Their droppings disperse seeds in these sunny areas where new trees and shrubs can take root. In this way, gorillas are keystone species in many African rainforest ecosystems.

Forest Floor Layer 

The forest floor is the darkest of all rainforest layers, making it extremely difficult for plants to grow. Leaves that fall to the forest floor decay quickly.

Decomposers , such as termites, slugs, scorpions, worms, and fungi , thrive on the forest floor. Organic matter falls from trees and plants, and these organisms break down the decaying material into nutrients . The shallow roots of rainforest trees absorb these nutrients, and dozens of predators consume the decomposers!

Animals such as wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ), armadillos, and anteaters forage in the decomposing brush for these tasty insects, roots and tubers of the South American rainforest. Even larger predators, including leopards ( Panthera pardus ), skulk in the darkness to surprise their prey . Smaller rodents, such as rats and lowland pacas (a type of striped rodent indigenous to Central and South America), hide from predators beneath the shallow roots of trees that dominate the canopy and emergent layer.

Rivers that run through some tropical rainforests create unusual freshwater habitats on the forest floor. The Amazon River, for instance, is home to the boto ( Inia geoffrensis ), or pink river dolphin, one of the few freshwater dolphin species in the world. The Amazon is also home to black caimans ( Melanosuchus niger ), large reptiles related to alligators, while the Congo River is home to the caimans’ crocodilian cousin, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus).

Types of Rainforests  

Tropical Rainforests

Tropical rainforests are mainly located between the latitudes of 23.5°N (the Tropic of Cancer) and 23.5°S (the Tropic of Capricorn)—the tropics . Tropical rainforests are found in Central and South America, western and central Africa, western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea, and Australia.

Sunlight strikes the tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high, between 21° and 30°C (70° and 85°F). High temperatures keep the air warm and wet, with an average humidity of between 77 percent and 88 percent. Such humid air produces extreme and frequent rainfall, ranging between 200-1000 centimeters (80-400 inches) per year. Tropical rainforests are so warm and moist that they produce as much as 75 percent of their own rain through evaporation and transpiration .

Such ample sunlight and moisture are the essential building blocks for tropical rainforests’ diverse flora and fauna. Roughly half of the world’s species can be found here, with an estimated 40 to 100 or more different species of trees present in each hectare.

Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in the world. The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. It is home to around 40,000 plant species, nearly 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million different insects. Red-bellied piranhas ( Pygocentrus nattereri ) and pink river dolphins swim its waters. Jewel-toned parrots squawk and fly through its trees. Poison dart frogs warn off predators with their bright colors. Capuchin and spider monkeys swing and scamper through the branches of the rainforest’s estimated 400 billion trees. Millions of mushrooms and other fungi decompose dead and dying plant material, recycling nutrients to the soil and organisms in the understory. The Amazon rainforest is truly an ecological kaleidoscope , full of colorful sights and sounds.

Temperate Rainforests 

Temperate rainforests are located in the mid-latitudes, where temperatures are much more mild than the tropics. Temperate rainforests are found mostly in coastal , mountainous areas. These geographic conditions help create areas of high rainfall. Temperate rainforests can be found on the coasts of the Pacific Northwest in North America, Chile, the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, New Zealand, and southern Australia.

As their name implies, temperate rainforests are much cooler than their tropical cousins, averaging between 10° and 21°C (50° and 70°F). They are also much less sunny and rainy, receiving anywhere between 150-500 centimeters (60-200 inches) of rain per year. Rainfall in these forests is produced by warm, moist air coming in from the coast and being trapped by nearby mountains. 

Temperate rainforests are not as biologically diverse as tropical rainforests. They are, however, home to an incredible amount of biological productivity, storing up to 500-2000 metric tons of leaves, wood, and other organic matter per hectare (202-809 metric tons per acre). Cooler temperatures and a more stable climate slow down decomposition, allowing more material to accumulate . The old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, for example, produce three times the biomass (living or once-living material) of tropical rainforests.

This productivity allows many plant species to grow for incredibly long periods of time. Temperate rainforest trees such as the coast redwood in the U.S. state of California and the alerce in Chile are among the oldest and largest tree species in the world. 

The animals of the temperate rainforest are mostly made up of large mammals and small birds, insects, and reptiles. These species vary widely between rainforests in different world regions. Bobcats ( Lynx rufus ), mountain lions ( Puma concolor ), and black bears ( Ursus americanus ) are major predators in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. In Australia, ground dwellers such as wallabies, bandicoots, and potoroos (small marsupials that are among Australia’s most endangered animals) feast on the foods provided by the forest floor. Chile’s rainforests are home to a number of unique birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker and the Juan Fernández firecrown, a hummingbird species that has a crown of color-changing feathers.

People and the Rainforest

Rainforests have been home to thriving, complex communities for thousands of years. For instance, unique rainforest ecosystems have influenced the diet of cultures from Africa to the Pacific Northwest.

The Mbuti, a community indigenous to the Ituri rainforest in Central Africa, have traditionally been hunter-gatherers . Their diet consists of plants and animals from every layer of the rainforest.

From the forest floor, the Mbuti hunt fish and crabs from the Ituri River (a tributary of the Congo), as well as gather berries from low-lying shrubs. The giant forest hog, a species of wild boar, is also frequently targeted by Mbuti hunters, although this species is hunted for sale more often than food. From the understory, the Mbuti may gather honey from bee hives, or hunt monkeys. From the canopy and emergent layers, Mbuti hunters may set nets or traps for birds.

Although they are a historically nomadic society, agriculture has become a way of life for many Mbuti communities today as they trade and barter with neighboring agricultural groups such as the Bantu for crops such as manioc, nuts, rice, and plantains.

The Chimbu people live in the highland rainforest on the island of New Guinea. The Chimbu practice subsistence agriculture through shifting cultivation . This means they have gardens on arable land that has been cleared of vegetation. A portion of the plot may be left fallow for months or years. The plots are never abandoned and are passed on within the family.

Crops harvested in Chimbu garden plots include sweet potatoes, bananas, and beans. The Chimbu also maintain livestock , particularly pigs. In addition to their own diet, pigs are valuable economic commodities for trade and sale.

The temperate rainforest of the northwest coast of North America is the home of the Tlingit. The Tlingit enjoy a diverse diet, relying on both marine and freshwater species, as well as game from inland forests.

Due to bountiful Pacific inlets , rivers, and streams, the traditional Tlingit diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic life: crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, seals , and fish such as herring, halibut, and, crucially, salmon. Kelps and other seaweeds can be harvested and eaten in soups or dried. One familiar Tlingit saying is “When the tide is out, our table is set.”

In more inland areas, historic Tlingit hunters may have targeted deer, elk, rabbit, and mountain goats. Plants gathered or harvested include berries, nuts, and wild celery. 

The Yanomami are a people and culture native to the northern Amazon rainforest, spanning the border between Venezuela and Brazil. Like the Chimbu, the Yanomami practice both hunting and shifting-cultivation agriculture.

Game hunted by the Yanomami include deer, tapirs (an animal similar to a pig), monkeys, birds, and armadillos. The Yanomami have hunting dogs to help them search the understory and forest floor for game. 

The Yanomami practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear the land of vegetation prior to farming. Crops grown include cassava, banana, and corn. In addition to food crops , the Yanomami also cultivate cotton, which is used for hammocks, nets, and clothing.

Benefits of Rainforests 

Ecological Well-Being

Rainforests are critically important to the well-being of our planet. Tropical rainforests encompass approximately 1.2 billion hectares (3 billion acres) of vegetation and are sometimes described as the Earth’s thermostat .

Rainforests produce about 20% of our oxygen and store a huge amount of carbon dioxide, drastically reducing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Massive amounts of solar radiation are absorbed, helping regulate temperatures around the globe. Taken together, these processes help to stabilize Earth’s climate.

Rainforests also help maintain the world’s water cycle . More than 50% of precipitation striking a rainforest is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration , helping regulate healthy rainfall around the planet. Rainforests also store a considerable percentage of the world’s freshwater, with the Amazon Basin alone storing one-fifth.

Human Well-Being

Rainforests provide us with many products that we use every day. Tropical woods such as teak, balsa, rosewood, and mahogany are used in flooring, doors, windows, boatbuilding, and cabinetry. Fibers such as raffia, bamboo, kapok, and rattan are used to make furniture, baskets, insulation , and cord. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and ginger are just a few spices of the rainforest. The ecosystem supports fruits including bananas, papayas, mangos, cocoa and coffee beans.

Rainforests also provide us with many medicinal products. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 70% of plants useful in the treatment of cancer are found only in rainforests. Rainforest plants are also used in the creation of muscle relaxants, steroids , and insecticides . They are used to treat asthma , arthritis , malaria , heart disease, and pneumonia . The importance of rainforest species in public health is even more incredible considering that less than one percent of rainforest species have been analyzed for their medicinal value.

Even rainforest fungi can contribute to humanity’s well-being. A mushroom discovered in the tropical rainforest of Ecuador, for example, is capable of consuming polyurethane —a hard, durable type of plastic used in everything from garden hoses to carpets to shoes. The fungi can even consume the plastic in an oxygen-free environment, leading many environmentalists and businesses to invest in research to investigate if the fungi can help reduce waste in urban landfills .

Threats to Rainforests

Rainforests are disappearing at an alarmingly fast pace, largely due to human development over the past few centuries. Once covering 14% of land on Earth, rainforests now make up only 6%. Since 1947, the total area of tropical rainforests has probably been reduced by more than half, to about 6.2 to 7.8 million square kilometers (3 million square miles).

Many biologists expect rainforests will lose 5-10% of their species each decade . Rampant deforestation could cause many important rainforest habitats to disappear completely within the next hundred years.

Such rapid habitat loss is due to the fact that 40 hectares (100 acres) of rainforest are cleared every minute for agricultural and industrial development. In the Pacific Northwest’s rainforests, logging companies cut down trees for timber while paper industries use the wood for pulp . In the Amazon rainforest, large-scale agricultural industries, such as cattle ranching , clear huge tracts of forests for arable land. In the Congo rainforest, roads and other infrastructure development have reduced habitat and cut off migration corridors for many rainforest species. Throughout both the Amazon and Congo, mining and logging operations clear-cut to build roads and dig mines. Some rainforests are threatened by massive hydroelectric power projects, where dams flood acres of land. Development is encroaching on rainforest habitats from all sides.

Economic inequalities fuel this rapid deforestation. Many rainforests are located in developing countries with economies based on natural resources . Wealthy nations drive demand for products, and economic development increases energy use. These demands encourage local governments to develop rainforest acreage at a fraction of its value. Impoverished people who live on or near these lands are also motivated to improve their lives by converting forests into subsistence farmland .

Rainforest Conservation

Many individuals, communities, governments, intergovernmental organizations, and conservation groups are taking innovative approaches to protect threatened rainforest habitats.

Many countries are supporting businesses and initiatives that promote the sustainable use of their rainforests. Costa Rica is a global pioneer in this field, investing in ecotourism projects that financially contribute to local economies and the forests they depend on. The country also signed an agreement with an American pharmaceutical company, Merck, which sets aside a portion of the proceeds from rainforest-derived pharmaceutical compounds to fund conservation projects.

Intergovernmental groups address rainforest conservation at a global scale. The United Nations’ REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) Program, for example, offers financial incentives for reducing carbon emissions created by deforestation to 58 member countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo used REDD funds to create an online National Forest Monitoring System that tracks and maps data on logging concessions , deforestation in protected areas, and national forestry sector measures. REDD funds were also used to investigate best practices in solving land disputes in Cambodia, which lacks proper forest zoning and boundary enforcement .

Nonprofit organizations are tackling rainforest conservation through a variety of different approaches. The Rainforest Trust, for example, supports local conservation groups around the world in purchasing and managing critically important habitats. In Ecuador, the Rainforest Trust worked with the Fundación Jocotoco to acquire 495 more hectares (1,222 more acres) for the Río Canandé Reserve, considered to have one of the highest concentrations of endemic and threatened species in the world. Partnering with Burung Indonesia, the Trust created a 8,900-hectare (22,000-acre) reserve on Sangihe Island to protect the highest concentration of threatened bird species in Asia.

The Rainforest Alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps businesses and consumers know that their products conserve rather than degrade rainforests. Products that bear the Rainforest Alliance seal contain ingredients from farms or forests that follow strict guidelines designed to support the sustainable development of rainforests and local communities. The Alliance also allows tourism businesses use of their seal after they complete an education program on efficiency and sustainability. In turn, this seal allows tourists to make ecologically smart vacation plans.

Drip Tips Many plants in the humid rainforest canopy are pointed, so that rain can run off the tips of the leaves. These “drip tips” keep the leaves dry and free of mold.

Jungles and Rainforests Jungles and rainforests are very, very similar. The main difference is that rainforests have thick canopies and taller trees. Jungles have more light and denser vegetation in the understory.

Slow Rain Rainforests are so densely packed with vegetation that a drop of rain falling from the forest’s emergent layer can take 10 minutes to reach the forest floor.

Species-Rich, Soil-Poor The soil of most tropical rainforests contains few nutrients. The rich biodiversity in the canopy and quick decomposition from fungi and bacteria prevent the accumulation of nutrient-rich humus. Nutrients are confined to the rainforest’s thin layer of topsoil. For this reason, most of the towering trees in tropical rainforests have very shallow, widespread root systems called “buttress roots.”

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50 Fun Earth Day Crafts and Activities 🌎!

13 Activities to Help Teach Your Students About the Wild and Wonderful Rainforest

Learn about the different levels of the rainforest and the animals that live there!

Nick Helps YOU help! Throughout the year, Nick Helps connects you with projects, ideas, and organizations that will help you and your students be champions for good.

Did you know that more than 5 million species of plants, animals and insects call the rainforest home? Or that the Amazon Rainforest is 55 million years old and covers 2.1 million square miles? It’s a fascinating topic  and one that students love spending time on. Here are 13 interesting and engaging rainforest activities to get your kids excited about learning more.

 1. Rainforest Habitats Flipbook

This flipbook is one of our favorite rainforest activities! It doubles as a coloring book and includes a page for each layer of the rainforest! Watch students’ eyes widen as they learn fun facts such as; The Goliath Birdeater Tarantula is the size of a dinner plate with its legs spread out? 😲 And yes… it earned its name because it’s so big that it can eat birds. (Cue the classroom gasp!)

 2. Shoebox habitat diorama

SOURCE: First Palette

Your students will love this activity that lets them learn all about the rainforest as they create a beautiful diorama. Great for a multi-day project, get the full materials list and step-by-step directions.

3. Tower habitat diorama

Source: a faithful attempt.

Older kids can build this incredible multi-level diorama tower as they learn all about the layers of the rainforest, from the forest floor to the emergent layer.

4. Rainforest songs

SOURCE: KindyKats

Check out these 20 fun sing-along songs that teach kids all about the rainforest and the animals that live there. They’ll learn about leopards, poison dart frogs, Blue Morpho butterflies, and more!

5. Rainforest terrarium

Source: Natural Beach Living

This is one of the most classic rainforest activities. Dig in and create a mini-ecosystem with your students. Collect large jars or cut the top of liter soda bottles for the container, layer pebbles and moss inside, and then add tropical plants and your favorite rainforest animals.

6. Bird beak science activity

SOURCE: Mystery Science

Start off by having students watch this 10-minute background knowledge video. Then do your own science experiment, using simple materials like Dixie cups and plastic straws, to learn all about how birds’ beaks work.

7. Rainforest animal crafts

SOURCE: Momendeavors

Check out this amazing roundup of rainforest animal craft projects. From stick bugs and chameleons to sloths and toucans to anacondas, there are plenty of creatures to choose from.

8. Rainforest Bingo

SOURCE: Lifeovercs

Rainforest Bingo is a great way to get your students excited about learning all about rainforest animals. Perfect as a whole group or station activity.

9. Printable writing activities

SOURCE: In All You Do

Add these rainforest writing tasks to your writing block. From copy work for preschoolers to writing prompts for older students, this bundle has 63 pages for you to choose from.

10. Movement cards

SOURCE: Pink Oatmeal

Flutter like a butterfly, balance like an iguana, pounce like a tiger. Get your students up out of their chairs with these fun rainforest animal movement cards.

11.   Rainforest yoga

SOURCE: Kids Yoga Stories (photo on left)  and Pink Oatmeal (photo on right)

Pretend to be a gorilla, spider monkey or scarlet macaw with these healthy yoga poses just for kids.

12. Kids’ rainforest stories

SOURCE: Rainforest Alliance

What would your life be like if your backyard was a rainforest? Expand your students’ horizons with these stories about children their age living across the world in rainforest communities.

13. File folder game

SOURCE: Itsy Bitsy Fun

File folder games are a great, and easy to keep together, resource for center activities. This fun game helps your students match rainforest animals with their jungle habitat.

Plus, here are our favorite books to pair with rainforest activities! 

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Rainforest Thematic Unit Plans for the Primary Classroom

• Tracey Bleakley
• Categories : Lesson plans & worksheets for grades 1 & 2
• Tags : Teaching grades pre k to 5

It’s Raining Learning!

Use these two rainforest theme lesson plans to introduce your rainforest unit to your first or second grade students. They will learn what a rainforest is and where rainforests are located in the world. Then, continue reading through the series (see the end of the article) for even more lessons and activities to follow.

Lesson One Asks, Where Are the Rainforests?

Science notebooks or journals

Large world map

World map, showing the location of rainforests, one per student

Pencils and crayons or colored pencils

Ask the students what they know about rainforests. Have them write “What Are Rainforests?” at the top of the next blank page in their science notebooks and answer the question with anything they know about rainforests. Instruct them to write any questions they have about rainforests too. After the students have had a few minutes to write, ask some students to share what they know about rainforests. (Have them answer the same question at the end of your rainforest theme unit for a quick assessment of what they have learned.)

Tell them that rainforests are forests that have temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees year round and that they receive at least 80 inches of rain each year. Rainforests are wet and warm and have lots of plants and animals living in them. Show your class a large world map and tell them that most rainforests are located near the equator. Ask if anyone knows where the equator is. Show the students the equator and explain what it is if they don’t know. Tell them that the areas north and south of the equator are called the tropics and that most rainforests are in the tropics.

Give each student a copy of the map that shows where the rainforests are located. Have them first locate the equator and then color the rainforest locations with a green colored pencil or crayon. You can also have them color the land yellow or brown and the water blue. When they are finished you can collect the maps or have them glue them into their science notebooks.

Lesson Two: Making a Living Rainforest

Make this living rainforest in a large jar and keep it in your science center for the students to observe. You can do this activity after you finish the rainforest maps lesson or on another day.

A large clear gallon jar with a lid

A small shovel or large spoon

Potting soil

3 or 4 small plants - mosses, ferns and other houseplants - of different heights

Tell the students that you are going to make your very own mini rainforest in a jar to keep in the classroom. Let the students help you put a layer of gravel in the bottom of the jar and then cover it with several inches of potting soil. Next plant each plant in the soil. It is easiest to plant all of the plants if you start with the shortest and finish with the tallest. Water the plants lightly. Put the lid back on the jar and place the jar in your science center or other location where the students can observe it. Make sure it is not in direct sunlight.

Observe the plants daily throughout you rainforest unit. Ask if the plants need to be watered and point out how much moisture collects in the jar. Explain that the plants stay moist because water vapor goes from the plants into the air and since it can’t escape the jar it just “rains” again. This is what happens in the rainforest. It stays damp because there are so many plants releasing water vapor into the air. This water vapor falls as rain in the rainforests.

These two introductory lesson plans about tropical rainforests are a great way to start your rainforest theme unit. There are more to come in the series below.

• Rainforest Map - www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/Mapbw.shtml
• Classroom experience.

This post is part of the series: A Rainforest Thematic Unit

Use these lessons to plan a rainforest thematic unit. These plans are appropriate for first and second grade students. You’ll find lessons on the plants and animals of the rainforest, rainforest layers and locations, and rainforest resources, as well as books to use during your unit.

• An Introduction to a Rainforest Theme with Two Starter Lessons
• The Layers of the Tropical Rainforest Lesson Plan
• The Great Kapok Tree: A Rainforest Lesson
• Teaching How Rainforest Products Sustain Us
• Great Books for a Rainforest Unit

Chapelfield Primary School

Year 3/4 rainforest homework tasks.

Y34 homework tasks

Please find attached Y3/4’s homework tasks which are due in on Friday 22nd March. We look forward to seeing your creations! 🙂

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Exploration Of The Amazon Rainforest: A Brief History

Have you ever wondered who first explored the Amazon Rainforest? Here we get to know the historical pioneers of Amazon rainforest exploration, and the hardships they went through (and caused) to fully discover the most remarkable, mysterious, and alluring realm in South America.

The Gold Seekers

Francisco De Orellana; Spanish Traveler And Discoverer Of The Amazon River

Francisco de Orellana

Francisco de Orellana was a Spanish explorer born in Trujillo in about 1490. He was the first person to navigate the entire Amazon River and was also the founder of the city of Guayaquil in Ecuador.

Initially, Orellana joined Francisco Pizarro’s army in Peru in 1533 where he fought against Diego Del Amagro – this was one of many civil wars amongst conquistadors that tore the region apart. The pair developed a close relationship and in 1541, Orellana was ordered on an expedition lead by Francisco’s half-brother Gonzalo Pizarro.

Starting in Quito , the purpose of the expedition was to find the legendary ‘El Dorado’, a city in the east, which supposedly boasted an abundance of gold and silver. No such city, however, was found and in sharp contrast to the somewhat celebrated voyage they were expecting, they were attacked by angry natives, riddled by a variety of diseases, and starving. More than half of the expedition was wiped out within the first few months of the expedition.

To make matters worse, Orellana, the lieutenant of the expedition, and a handful of some 50 men became separated. Pizarro returned to Quito but Orellana and his small group continued to travel downriver. This lead to the entire exploration of the Amazon River originally called the ‘Rio de Orellana’. The group made it all the way to the Spanish-held island of Cubagua off the coast of Venezuela and having crossed the whole continent, Orellana decided to return to Spain.

Upon arrival, Orellana impressed the Spanish courts and fuelled rumors in the belief of ‘The Amazons’, a terrifying race of warrior women who inhabited the jungle. He captivated the Spanish people and around 9 months later, Orellana obtained a commission to conquer the regions he had discovered. However, shortly after his arrival in the Amazon, he died of disease. He will always be remembered as the first person (at least from the Western world) to navigate the length of the Amazon River.

Francisco Pizarro, commonly known for his part in conquering the Incan Empire

Francisco Pizarro

Francisco Pizarro was one of the most notorious Spanish Conquistadors who is commonly known for his part in conquering the Incan Empire. He was born around 1470 and grew up illiterate having received very little education. In November 1509, he embarked on an expedition from Spain to the New World and sailed to Cartagena joining the fleet of Martín Fernández de Enciso. Pizarro gradually rose up the ranks and became mayor of Panama City between 1519 and 1523.

During his time in Latin and South America, reports of massive riches in Peru began to circulate, and consequently, in two separate attempts in 1524 and 1526, Pizarro tried to conquer the Incan Empire. Native hostilities, terrible weather, and scarcity of supplies all contributed to his failure. Some years later in 1528, Pizarro traveled to Northern Peru and he found the natives to possess an abundance of rich metals. This led him to plan a third expedition to conquer the Incas.

Initially being denied permission to carry out the expedition by the Governor of Panama, Pizarro returned to Spain and appealed to King Charles I. This proved successful and not only was Pizarro granted authorization for the expedition but he was also given significant authority over any land he did conquer. He returned to Panama before embarking on his expedition to Peru in 1530.

Due to native hostilities on the Peruvian coastline, Pizarro had to move inland and in turn founded the first Spanish settlement in Peru, San Miguel de Piura. Atahualpa, the last Incan emperor, heard of the ordeal and ordered a meeting with Pizarro. Atahualpa condemned Spanish presence and Pizarro consequently attacked the Incan forces in what became known as the Battle of Cajamarca. The Spanish were easy victors, despite being severely outnumbered, and symbolically killed Atahualpa’s 12-man honor guard and then took him hostage. Pizarro later executed him in what was a very controversial decision, an action even condemned by the King of Spain.

A year later Pizarro invaded Cusco with the help of indigenous troops and wrote back to the King of Spain stating: ‘this city is the greatest and the finest ever seen in this country or anywhere in the Indies… it is so beautiful and has such fine buildings that it would be remarkable even in Spain.” However, Pizarro appreciated that Cusco was not an appropriate capital for the country as it was too far from the coastline and he, therefore, founded the new capital, Lima .

Three years later in 1541, whilst Pizarro was in Lima, around 20-armed supporters of Diego de Almagro (another conquistador who was killed by Pizarro in the civil war years earlier) stormed his palace and killed him. He was believed to be 62-70 years old and his burial site can be seen in the Lima Cathedral. However, this ‘shrine’ is the subject of much controversy, as many Peruvians regard Pizarro in a negative light for destroying Peru’s ancestral Incan culture.

The Brave Botanists

Explorers have long collected plants, but hardly any as feverishly as Alexander von Humboldt in the Spanish American colonies

Alexander Von Humboldt

Alexander Von Humboldt was a Prussian geographer, naturalist, and explorer. Between 1799 and 1804, Humboldt traveled extensively through Latin and South America with his good friend, doctor, and botanist Aime-Jacques Bonpland. The pair collected a vast variety of flora and fauna and also made some significant discoveries. Whilst studying electrical currents, they discovered the first animal to actually produce electricity, the electric eel, and whilst completing the extensive mapping of South America, Humboldt was the first person to suggest that continent borders were once connected, South America and Africa most notably.

Humboldt also discovered new animals previously unknown to science such as the Uakari monkey; he was the first person to recognize the need to conserve the cinchona plant, which is used to cure malaria; and he was the first person to discover the importance of guano (dried droppings from birds which makes a great fertilizer). The pair were also the first people to discover the Casquiare canal that links the Rio Negro and the Orinoco River.

Their adventures and discoveries were so extensive that it was all published in a gigantic set of volumes over a 21-year period. These books hugely influenced Charles Darwin and he always claimed to be a huge admirer of Humboldt.  Humboldt died at the age of 90 in Germany.

Henry Walter Bates

Henry Walter Bates was an English naturalist and explorer born in 1825. Bates is best known for his voyage into the Amazon and his well-known book, The Naturalist on the River Amazons. His journey began in 1848 when he traveled along with Alfred Russell Wallace to the Amazon to collect animals and study them.

For their first year, they lived in a villa near the city of Belem collecting birds and insects. After a year of working together, the pair split up to focus on different areas of the Amazon. Some 11 years later, Bates finally returned to England, and by this time he had gathered a sufficient quantity of animals that would occupy his time. It is reported that he sent back some 14,712 new species of animals (mainly insects) of which around 8,000 were completely new to science.

After returning to London, Bates was appointed as Assistant Secretary to the Royal Geographical Survey and instead of returning to the Amazon, he was stuck in an office for the rest of his life. The stress caused by the job is a possible linking factor to his death by bronchitis in 1892. Much of his work can now be seen in the Natural History Museum in London.

Interestingly, Bates mentioned that his worst experience in the Amazon was not with a dangerous animal or fighting a tropical disease but from the lack of news and information from the outside world. Although an animal lover and true rainforest enthusiast, he stated in his book ‘The Naturalist on the River Amazons that “[he] was obliged, at last, to come to the conclusion that the contemplation of Nature alone is not sufficient to fill the human heart and mind.”

The Thrill & Legend Seekers

Roosevelt had originally planned to go on a speaking tour of Argentina and Brazil

Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt is probably the most famous explorer to investigate the Amazon having been President of the USA between 1901 and 1909. Between 1913-1914, Roosevelt along with Candido Rondo and a small expedition was to be the first to travel the 1,000 miles long ‘River of Doubt’ in the Brazilian Amazon. The trip was financed by the American Museum of Natural History with the pair promising to bring back a vast variety of new animal species.

The expedition is described in Roosevelt’s very popular book ‘Through the Brazilian Wilderness. Problems arose for Roosevelt very early into the trip. During the trip downriver he suffered a leg injury that became infected and consequently gave him tropical fever closely mirroring malaria he contracted 15 years prior in Cuba. Furthermore, the bullet that had not been removed from his chest just months earlier from an attempted assassination aggravated the infection.

By this point, only six weeks into the expedition, he was finding it very difficult to walk, suffering from chest and leg pains and fighting a very high fever. He, therefore, had to be tended to day and night by the group’s physician as well as his son. This dramatically slowed down the expedition. During the journey, Roosevelt lost some 50 pounds and upon his return to the States, his friends and family were shocked at the consequences.

Roosevelt wrote to a friend that the expedition had ‘cut short his life by 10 years in somewhat of a proleptic state as he died some 5 years later. For the remaining few years of his life after his return, he required severe surgery on his leg, and malaria continued to plague him. Roosevelt was immediately questioned on the truth of his claims that he indeed explored and navigated the entire 1000 km long river, yet when he recovered, he defended himself in a convention with the National Geographic Society and proved he had indeed completed the adventure.

Percy Harrison Fawcett

Percy Harrison Fawcett was a British artillery officer, archaeologist, and explorer. After being released from the army, he embarked on several trips to the Amazon river between 1906 and 1925. He is believed to have had a good relationship with the indigenous natives as he often brought gifts and held a very polite and courteous manner.

Fawcett was known to make some rather outlandish claims about native animals he encountered that were completely unknown to zoology. This includes seeing a huge anaconda , a small cat-like dog, and a giant Apazauca spider that poisoned locals. The two-nosed dog he claimed to have seen, however, is proven to exist, although very rare, and the species is commonly known as the Double nosed Andean tiger hound.

Fawcett embarked on his final trip in 1925 accompanied by his eldest son and his friend. Having studied many ancient legends, Fawcett truly believed that there was a lost ancient city somewhere in the Mato Grosso region in Brazil and consequently wanted to be the first to discover it.

Fawcett decided to travel very light and apart from a few basic supplies, they were to live off the jungle. Furthermore, his son and his son’s friend were to be his only travel companions so they would be less noticeable. Native tribesmen were often hostile to explorers and many had never seen a white man before.

The last known contact with the trio was in May 1925 when Fawcett sent a letter to his wife stating they were about to enter the unchartered territories of the Amazon. They were never seen or heard from again. Many theories suggest that they were murdered by local tribesmen but it is also believed that they might have died from the disease in the jungle. It is estimated that some 100 men have since died trying to locate Fawcett’s remains.

The Modern-Day Eco-Explorers

Sydney possuelo.

Sydney Possuelo is an explorer and social activist. He is an expert in isolated tribes of the Amazon and has won numerous awards. He started his career by helping the Villas-Boas brothers in their work with indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon before becoming Director of the Department of Unknown Tribes at the FUNAI until 2006.

Possuelo has lead many expeditions to find uncontacted tribes to protect them from common threats including deforestation, drug trafficking, and violence, and disease. He is famously known for restoring peace with Korubo Indians who had previously killed FUNAI officials.

Although Possuelo has lead many successful campaigns, there have been recorded instances of him being shot by a bow and arrow. Possuelo is the protagonist in the book ‘The Unconquered: In Search of the Amazon’s Last Uncontacted Tribes’ by National Geographic writer Scott Wallace.

These days, modern-day explorers may still come in search of lost cities, but most come in search of adventure, with Amazon river cruises and rainforest tours taking intrepid travelers on their own exploration of the Amazon Rainforest. Will you be one of them?

While Rainforest Cruises aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information herein or found by following any link on this site. Rainforest Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.

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Moscow City Guides and Media

Nightlife, arts and culture listings for moscow.

The Moscow Times english-language newspaper publishes a weekly listing of events, also available on their website: www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/calendar/

Another good English-language resource is A-A-AH  – www.a-a-ah.com/events-in-moscow – which has a good clubs listings and publishes interesting cultural events.

Your best way, though, is to go on Facebook pages of the places we recommend in our Moscow Guide and check out what's on there. We post the most interesting events on our Way to Russia Facebook Page as well, so check it out occasionally!

A great listing of public lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences happening in Moscow is available on Theory and Practice portal – www.tandp.ru – even though it's in Russian you can find really interesting talks on Russian cinema, software development, literary studies and anything else you want on there.

Among the Russian listings, Afisha (www. afisha.ru ) magazine is the most popular one.  While being slightly pretentious, it provides a lot of information and has good nightlife and art listings.

Another interesting newspaper is Bolshoy Gorod – www.bg.ru – which is distributed for free and has extensive listings. They also have a blog for each area of Moscow (in Russian).

Finally, Look At Me - www.lookatme.ru – is a sure source to find some party or exhibition you like.

Newspapers & Magazines

In english language,   in russian language.

The weekly Komsomolka is the local version of the UK Sun, but intelligentsia (smart people) prefer the free Bolshoy Gorod, which is a bit like the local version of The Village Voice, but not as big.

The "mainstream" fashion is determined by bi-weekly Afisha ( www.afisha.ru ) magazine.

The weekly Expert ( www.expert.ru ) and Itogi ( www.itogi.ru ) magazines provide comprehensive business, finance, and politics analysis.

The monthly magazines are anything from Playboy to Forbes, and from Cosmopolitan to The Rolling Stone.

Foreign Press

You can buy foreign magazines and newspapers in Moscow. Usually, they are sold in 5-star hotels, but the prices there are much too high. Also, you can try some newstands in the city (especially on Tverskaya St.), but the prices are high also, and the selection is poor.

However, there's a couple of places in Moscow, where you can get almost any magazine or newspaper, in English and in other languages. 1. Maxim's News Stand. They have everything, if they don't -- you can order. Prices are lower than on the cover. Also, they sell books and movies in English. Metro: Savyolovskaya (grey line, north center), Address: Nizhnyaya Maslovska, #2 (an underground pass near Savyolovskaya metro). Open hours: Mon-Sat 11.00 to 19.30 2. Arbat Supermarket. Just next to the entrance they sell some English-language magazines and fresh newspapers. Metro: Arbatskaya. Address: Novy Arbat st, Novoarbatsky supermarket - grocery store (there's only one, the entrance is on the street side). 3. Bookberry. The new Moscow book supermarket has an extensive section of foreign magazines and newspapers at moderate prices. Metro: Arbatskaya, Tverskaya (blue, purple line). Address: Boulevard Ring (walk from Novy Arbat towards Pushkinskaya square along Zubovsky boulevard and the shop will be to your left). Open hours: Mon-Sun 10.00-20.00

4. Gorbushka. The famous Moscow pirate CD, DVD, Software and official electronics market specializes in foreign music and DJ magazines. Address: metro Bagrationovskaya (Moscow west), a large building outside the exit - the crowds walks in its direction. Open hours: Mon-Sun 10.00-20.00 If for some reason you can't buy the thing you need in any of the shops above, try to go to some European or American medical or dental center - they have a great selection of magazines in their reception areas.    

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The best international schools in Moscow

• 3 months ago

Embark on an educational journey in Moscow with a selection of elite schools catering to diverse needs. From the British-focused MCS, offering personalized bilingual education, to Riverside School’s immersive English environment in the picturesque Novogorsk, each institution stands out. Brookes School Moscow, part of a global network, promises quality education in a central location. Russian International School, combining Russian and British curricula, ensures holistic development. Whether it’s “Classika” emphasizing language proficiency or the innovative “Tomorrow’s School” with a unique biblical approach, Moscow’s educational landscape is rich and varied, ready to shape students for success on the global stage. Explore the options and discover the perfect fit for your child’s academic journey.

Let’s explore the top 11 schools in Moscow that meet the best criteria.

• 1.1      Advantages of the school:
• 2.1    Features:
• 2.2    Licenses and Certificates:
• 3.1    Key Features:
• 4.1    Advantages:
• 4.2    Location:
• 5.1    Advantages:
• 6.1    Special Features:
• 6.2    Licenses and Certificates:
• 7.1    Key Features:
• 8.1    Features:
• 8.2    Licenses and Certificates:
• 9.1    Special Features:
• 9.2    Licenses and Certificates:
• 10.1     Features:
• 10.2     Licenses and Certificates:
• 11.1     Features:
• 11.2     Licenses and Certificates:

     Advantages of the school:

– Students begin learning English from an early age, not only as a subject but as the primary means of instruction and communication.

– The program offers a comprehensive international-level education starting from kindergarten.

– Qualified teachers from English-speaking countries are involved in the teaching process.

– Small class sizes (up to 14 students) allow for individualized learning.

– The school provides additional activities such as drawing, dance, ballet, football, chess, jiu-jitsu, fencing, robotics, diving, vocal training, graphic design, and animation.

– Infrastructure: Modern campuses equipped for comfortable and engaging learning. Campuses are located in Skolkovo (western Moscow near the Skolkovo innovation center), Festivalnaya (northern Moscow near Rechnoy Vokzal metro station), and a campus in St. Petersburg near the Gulf of Finland.

British International School

BIS is one of the oldest international schools in Moscow, providing high-class education and a comprehensive approach for children aged 3 to 18. Over 2000 students have graduated from the school, gaining admission to leading universities in Russia and worldwide.

The school operates two departments:

– International Department: Education follows the best traditions of British schools based on the National Curriculum of England and the pre-university IB Diploma program.

– Russian Department: Education aligns with Federal State Educational Standards. English is intensively studied, and students can choose a second foreign language (French, Spanish, German, or Chinese).

BIS holds an “Excellent” rating in every category according to the British Schools Overseas inspection.

   Features:

– International accreditations (ECIS, CIS, COBIS).

– Six schools in different areas of Moscow.

– Class sizes up to 15 students.

– Large team of qualified teachers.

– Over 25 school clubs including 3D modeling, programming, chess, ballet, mental arithmetic, martial arts, fashion design, etc.

– Comprehensive approach including school bus services, extended day programs, and psychological and speech therapy services.

   Licenses and Certificates:

– Moscow Department of Education and Science License.

– Edexcel Approved Centre Accreditation.

– Cambridge International Examinations Accreditation.

– IBO Accreditation.

– ECIS Membership Accreditation and Certificate.

– CIS Membership Accreditation and Certificate.

British School MCS

British School MCS focuses on the individual development of each student, offering a diverse range of courses and a creative atmosphere – fulfilling expectations of what parents seek from British schools. MCS provides bilingual education, skillfully combining British educational programs and Russian Federal State Educational Standards (FGOS). Graduates receive two diplomas.

   Key Features:

– Modern and high-quality education comparable to private English schools.

– Emphasis on developing critical thinking, curiosity, and increasing academic motivation through solving non-standard tasks.

– Full-day school with teaching based on individual educational routes, along with pedagogical and psychological support for each student.

– Balanced workload, collaboration of psychologists, educators, healthcare professionals, and a tailored schedule contribute to effective learning of both programs without mental exhaustion.

– Certificates such as A-levels, GCSE, and/or Cambridge CAE are awarded, granting the right to university admission in any English-speaking country.

Riverside School

Riverside School is a bilingual primary school located in the Moscow suburbs, in Novogorsk. It simultaneously follows British national and Russian educational programs. The British program includes Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7, grades 1–2) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7–12, grades 3–6). Alongside the British program, children undergo Russian primary education based on FGOS.

   Advantages:

– Full immersion in an English-language environment.

– Experienced English-speaking educators in the English department.

– Wide range of extracurricular activities: sports (swimming, tennis, football, wrestling, skiing, golf), creative workshops (drawing, dance, music, theater), intellectual development clubs (chess, robotics).

– Professional security and daily bus transportation.

– Extended school hours until 20:00 with various activities and amenities for children.

   Location:

Riverside School is situated in a nature conservation zone in the Skhodnya River valley, surrounded by over 1 hectare of forest.

Brookes School Moscow

Brookes School Moscow is an international coeducational private school founded in 2018. All subjects are taught in English, and it is part of the Brookes Education Group with schools worldwide. The institution includes a preschool section for children aged 2 and a school for children aged 6 to 7.

– Highly qualified teachers, many with advanced degrees.

– Exchange programs with schools in the USA, Canada, UK, South Korea, India.

– Healthy three-meal daily catering.

– Convenient location in one of Moscow’s best districts.

– School representatives assist with organizing accommodation in Moscow.

Russian International School (RIS)

RIS is an elite educational center offering dual programs: Russian and British national. The school features experienced educators from Russia and the UK, adhering to high standards in both Russian and British education.

   Special Features:

– Class sizes limited to 10 students.

– Additional sections and workshops: ballet, karate, artistic gymnastics, football, Chinese martial arts, theatrical studio, chess, and English clubs.

– Collaboration with British educational institutions, aiding with admissions and document processing.

– Accreditation from the British Examination Commission (Edexcel Approved Centre) to prepare students for A-levels and GCSE.

– Accreditation from Cambridge International Examinations, along with an educational license from the Russian Ministry of Education and state accreditation.

Academic Gymnasium

Academic Gymnasium offers preschool, primary, basic general, and secondary education according to the Russian educational program. It is also an ESOL center for conducting Cambridge English tests. Graduates successfully pass these tests, facilitating admission to foreign universities.

– Extensive extracurricular activities, including excursions, clubs, conferences, roundtable discussions, Olympiads, research, sports sections, and competitions.

– Options for full-time, homeschooling, part-time (external), and their combinations.

– Educational program supplemented with individual subjects from Cambridge University.

– Learning a second foreign language.

– Accreditation and license for educational activities.

– Certified Cambridge ESOL center.

European Gymnasium

European Gymnasium is one of the few international private schools in Russia using the International Baccalaureate (IB) program from grades 1 to 11. Children also follow the state educational program. In the primary school, the state program integrates with the PYP IBO approaches. From an early age, students deeply study English and begin learning a second foreign language.

– Preparation for the IB and Russian exams on individual programs.

– In-depth study of two foreign languages.

– Students in middle and high school can choose the language of instruction: English or Russian.

– Preparation for KET, PET, and FCE exams.

– Authorization for all three IB programs: PYP, MYP, DP.

– State accreditation and license.

School of Tomorrow

“School of Tomorrow” is a bilingual school based on biblical principles, using the proprietary teaching methodology created by Dr. Donald Howard. The approach involves individualized learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace.

    Features:

– Mandatory SAT and TOEFL testing for graduates.

– Authorized to conduct Stanford testing since 2004.

– Graduates easily pass the Russian Unified State Exam (EGE) and gain admission to top global universities.

– Annual “School of Tomorrow” Olympiads with participants from various countries.

    Licenses and Certificates:

– NCPSA and Accreditation International certificates.

– Fire safety declaration.

– CITA accreditation.

Marina International Private School

Marina International Private School operates based on the federal program with a focus on mastering several foreign languages. Children start learning English from the 1st grade, and from the 4th grade, they choose French, Spanish, or German. In higher grades, a third foreign language is added to the curriculum.

– Collaboration with leading universities in the country, British, Canadian, and American universities.

– Educational exchanges and trips during holidays.

– Participation and victories in Olympiads and project work competitions (including in India and California).

– Marina, together with the California Theater, stages musicals in English.

– License and accreditation for educational activities.

– CIS (Council of International Schools) membership.

– Conclusion C (unknown context).

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