Rainforests affect the lives of people throughout the world. This
two week long unit on the Amazon Rainforest will be based on social studies
and science, while integrating the other curricular areas. In social
studies, the students will learn about the geography of the Amazon River
Basin and the people who live there, as well as topics such as deforestation
and steps students can take to save the rainforests. In science,
it will cover the plants and animals of the rainforest and how they interact.
Students will learn about the layers of the biome and the vast amount of
products harvested from the rainforest. In math, students will use
charts and graphs to compare different rainforest’s amount of rainfall,
animal variety, and etc. throughout the world. In language arts,
students will have an opportunity to write persuasive letters regarding
deforestation. They will also work on a research project in conjunction
with science and social studies. In Bible we will focus on the topic
of Christian stewardship. The unit will also incorporate the culture of
the Amazon region through games, art projects, and song.
The rainforest is an important topic because it shows how creative
our Creator is. The animals and plants demonstrate much diversity,
allowing students to recognize God’s handiwork. Because so many of
our medicines come from the rainforest, we can see how God cares and provides
for us. Students need to be aware that the rainforests, before the
fall, were perfect. However humankind in their sinfulness has been
working to destroy the rainforests through deforestation. It is the purpose
of our school to help students become disciples of Christ. As disciples,
it is our redemptive duty to be good stewards of our resources and to take
care of the world God has created for our enjoyment. Just as God delights
in His creation, students will be able to take pleasure and delight in
His creation. This ties very neatly to stewardship issues and learning
to reduce, recycle, and reuse.
This unit should expand the students’ viewpoints on the Amazon Rainforest.
We expect that the students will learn about another completely different
biome and be able to use this knowledge practically. This unit will help
students learn about faraway places that they may never get a chance to
learn about personally. Upon completion of this unit students will
recognize the role that rainforests play in the environment, will become
aware of the different animals, plants, and people that exist in this biome,
and the characteristics that make the rainforest what it is. At the
end of the unit, to tie things together, students will participate in a
culminating activity in an interactive trip to the rainforest exhibit at
the Omaha zoo. Ultimately, students will have a strong desire to
do all they can to preserve the rainforest.