Interdisciplinary Lesson: Amazon Rainforest
Lesson Plan
3 hoursGrades6, 7, 8Science, Social Studies
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Written by Tina Ezzo
About this lesson
Students learn about the benefits of the Amazon rainforest and the technology-based solutions that people are using to protect it.
Inquire: Students are introduced to Indigenous groups around the world who explain the vital role humans play in protecting the planet, and the Surui people of Brazil who use technology to help combat illegal logging and deforestation.
Investigate: Students learn ways their lives are impacted by the Amazon and ways technology is being used to help protect, maintain, and restore biodiversity in the Amazon ecosystem.
Inspire: Students learn how their choices as consumers can help protect forests like the Amazon.
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Suggestions
- Science teachers can use this lesson during ecology units when discussing systems and biomes or during physical science units after discussing electromagnetic waves.
- Social studies teachers can use the lesson when talking about the impact of economic decisions and consumerism.
- This lesson highlights the importance of rainforests and jungles to the overall well-being of the Earth.
- This lesson highlights ways that students can take action to protect rainforests by the choices they and their families make as consumers or through persuading others.
- The completed Student Document can serve as a formative assessment for the lesson, while the culminating argumentative work can serve as the summative assessment.
Prerequisites
- The focus of this lesson is technology-based solutions, however, it is important that students also understand the necessity of nature-based solutions in addressing the climate crisis. This video can provide examples and context for the value of nature-based solutions.
- Students should already have a basic understanding of waves as a means of transmitting energy and the use of waves in communication technology.
Differentiation
- To incorporate movement, during the True/False check of background knowledge, students could stand when they believe a statement is true or remain seated if they believe a statement is false. Between each statement, all students return to being seated.
- An alternative to the Midco video about electromagnetic waves used to transmit information is this CK12 reading.
- Extended learning/enrichment: Students use their learning to create persuasive presentations or public service announcements (slideshows or videos) about the importance of the Amazon rainforest to the overall health of the Earth and ways people around the globe can take action to help protect the Amazon and other jungles or forests.
- Scaffolding: As each sheet from the Student Document is introduced, the teacher can provide an example of the type of information they are looking for through think-alouds.
- Students can research ecolabels from the Ecolabel Index, find labels they might find on products that are important to them, and summarize what the labels mean to consumers. Teachers can encourage students to share their learning in a creative way, such as creating posters, presentations, videos, etc.
- Students brainstorm steps they or their families can take to help protect the Amazon and other jungles. Teacher guides the class in sharing ideas to generate a list for students to choose what actions they will pledge to take. Students write out their pledge on the sheet in the Student Document.
From the scientist review
A healthy forest is essential to the Earth's climate system. This lesson emphasizes the importance of the Amazon rainforest to Earth, how the Indigenous peoples have gradually developed strategies to preserve the forest cover, and the necessity of providing them with appropriate technology to enhance their tracking and forest preservation methods. This lesson has well-cited materials for learning and has passed our scientific review.
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About the teacher writer
Tina Ezzo
Tina's Story
When New Jersey mandated climate education, my supervisor introduced our department to SubjectToClimate. I could have treated it as a mandate and moved on. But as I explored those resources, I realized this was not only a mandate - it was a responsibility I had to my students.... Read More
Tina Ezzo holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Psychology from The College of New Jersey. She has been teaching science for grades 7–8 since 1993.
Tina is the first SubjectToClimate Teacher Fellow. A SubjectToClimate Fellow is an educator who has demonstrated that climate belongs in every learning space and proven it in their own. Selection is based on depth of practice, evidence of student impact, and the power of their story to inspire other educators.
Tina is the first SubjectToClimate Teacher Fellow. A SubjectToClimate Fellow is an educator who has demonstrated that climate belongs in every learning space and proven it in their own. Selection is based on depth of practice, evidence of student impact, and the power of their story to inspire other educators.
Tina's Story
When New Jersey mandated climate education, my supervisor introduced our department to SubjectToClimate. I could have treated it as a mandate and moved on. But as I explored those resources, I realized this was not only a mandate - it was a responsibility I had to my students.... Read More
