SMART Lesson Teacher NotesCreated by Heather Hurley

Instructional Technology CoordinatorArlington Traditional Schoolheather_hurley@apsva.us

Prior Knowledge: none, this can be used as an introduction or as a review.

Cross Curricular Links: Social Studies/Geography

Grade(s): K-5

Title: Rainforest Layers

Topic: Animals/Plants of the Rainforest

Subject: Science

Directions: This lesson is meant to teach the layers of the rainforest.Students move the layer name to read the definition. They then click the box to find out what animals and plants live in the rainforest. Students click each picture to hear about a plant or animal that lives in that layer.

TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS

Location:

IN A BELT AROUND THE EARTH NEAR THE EQUATOR

THE CLIMATE IS ALWAYS________________________ AND

________________________

HUMID

WARM

GETS FROM 200 to 450 CENTIMETERS OFRAIN A YEAR!

FUN FACT:

RAIN FOREST LAYERS

Characteristics of this area include strong sunlight, changing temperature, changing humidity, strong winds,

one or two trees per acre.

Emergent Layer

Characteristics of this area include strong sunlight, changing temperature, changing humidity, acts like a

giant rain and sun umbrella.

Upper Canopy Layer

Characteristics of this area include limited sunlight, constant temperature, constant high humidity, many small

trees, shrubs and vines.

LOWER CANOPY

Characteristics of this area include almost no sunlight, constant temperature, constant high humidity, air is very

still, very few plants.

UNDERSTORY

Back

Emergent Layer

BackCanopy Layer

Back

Understory Layer

Back

Forest Floor

Back

Riverbank and Underwater

FACTS:

*CONTAIN THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SPECIES

*USED TO COVER 20% OF THE EARTHBUT NOW ONLY COVERS 7%

*EVERY DAY FORESTS ARE CLEARED FOR LOGGING, AGRICULTURE, AND OIL EXPLORATION