Overview

The tropical rain forests of the world are home to more than one half of all plant and animal species on the earth. Yet these delicate ecosystems cover only six percent of the earth's total land mass.

In these hot, humid, ancient forests, which have grown undisturbed for millions of years, everything is interconnected. In one acre alone, there may be more than 250 species of trees. The trees not only provide food and shelter for the animals, they also keep soil from eroding in heavy rains. Trees depend on the animals to spread their seeds. Large predators, like the jaguar, control the number of seed-eaters. Trees also release huge supplies of oxygen and moisture into the air, thus forming rain clouds that benefit not only the rain forests but the lands beyond.

In recent times people have exploited these tropical treasures, threatening the delicate balance. People are not treating the rain forests as a scarce resource. All of us, and our planet Earth, may suffer if we continue to treat the rain forests in a way that is not environment-friendly.

Before young students can devote their attention to the economic well-being of the rain forest, they must first learn as much as they can about its value. In this hands-on, activity-based exploration of tropical rain forests, students engage in a variety of experiences designed to help them understand that preserving rain forests makes good economic sense.

Objectives Students learn about the value of tropical rain forests. Students understand that rain forests are scarce resources. Students use economic reasoning to make decisions about using the rain forest's products in an environment-friendly way. Students learn that choices people make can greatly influence the environment. Students become aware that there are resolutions to the rain forest problems, within their reach. Students take action to help insure that the rain forests will not be destroyed. Time Required Three weeks Materials Library resources Art supplies Samples of rain forest products Handout 1 -- Tropical Treasures Handout 2 -- Tropical Treasures Postcards

Teaching Activity

During a three-week period, students engage in a variety of language arts, science, social studies, and fine art activities designed to lead them to a deeper understanding of the importance of tropical rain forests. Using a variety of books, children's magazines, maps, globes, videos, and computer programs, the students immerse themselves in information concerning the rain forests. They share this information with their classmates and families.

In science, for example, students create a miniature rain forest in a plastic two-liter bottle and observe the water cycle firsthand. They discover how soil erodes when it is not anchored by plant roots. If possible, teachers should arrange for children to visit a local zoo or botanical garden to see some of the exotic plants and animals that they will learn about in the classroom. In some areas it may be possible for children to visit a replica of a tropical rain forest—e.g., the Amazonia area at the National Zoo, in Washington, D.C.

Teachers should ask each child to select a tropical rain forest plant or animal and become the class expert on it. After carefully researching his or her topic, each student should create a project—such as a diorama, poster, mobile, puppet, museum display, model, or skit—and present it to the class. As the research progresses, students will discover that many of their selected subjects are in danger of becoming extinct. Use Handout 1 to help students summarize the information they have collected during their research.

As the class explores reasons for the destruction of the scarce resources of the rain forest, they will discover that nearly one half of all the world's rain forests have been cut down to obtain timber and to clear land for farming or mining. After the trees are cut down, the rain quickly washes the minerals out of the soil. Thus large areas become infertile.

Scientists also believe the destruction of rain forests causes change in the balance of gases in the atmosphere. In addition, rain forest plants that are used to make prescription drugs are becoming more and more scarce.

As the discussion continues, students will think about some of the economic realities surrounding the problem of rain forest destruction:

The choices people make can sometimes have unintended results. People who cut down and burn the rain forests are not bad people. They do not purposely set out to cause plants and animals to become extinct.

The choices people make can have an influence on our environment. Rain forest soil is poor. When the trees are burned or cut down, the area will quickly turn into a desert where nothing can grow. Global warming is increasing because of the burning of thousands of acres of rain forest each day.

Governments may need to make laws to protect scarce resources. Governments can outlaw burning and cutting down trees. They can offer incentives for people and companies to sell only those products that can be harvested without harming the rain forest. Products like cashews, brazil nuts, chocolate, pineapples, bananas, natural products for hair and body care, hand-woven hammocks and bags, chewing gum, and rubber products can be harvested without destroying the rain forests.

People take better care of things they own. There are many organizations working to purchase rain forest areas so they can be protected.

The more students learn about rain forests and their problems, the more interested they will become in taking action to save the rain forests. Students want to make a difference. Here are some student ideas:

• We can begin to reduce, reuse, and recycle. By using the earth's scarce resources wisely, we can set an example for people to respect the rain forests.

• Do not buy endangered-animal products or products made from teak or mahogany. Only buy products that are made from renewable resources, such as pineapple, cashews, chewing gum, and rubber products.

• Write letters to local and national leaders reminding them of the importance of rain forests and asking them to support laws protecting the rain forests.

• Write for information from conservation groups. Find out about other ways to help save the rain forests.

Students may also wish to create original postcards with rain forest scenes to send to conservation groups. Use Handout 2 and address the following conservation groups to find out what else can be done to save the tropical treasures.

World Wildlife Fund
1255 23rd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037

The Children's Rain Forest
P. O. Box 936
Lewiston, ME 04240

The Nature Conservancy
1815 North Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209

The class may also choose to raise money in support of one or more of these rain forest preservation groups. At the Collegiate School, we plan to form a classroom business by purchasing and raffling some books on the tropical rain forests. We will design and print rain forest fact sheets for people who purchase raffle tickets. The profits from this business will be used to purchase rain forest acreage.

Conclusion

While it is important for children to become aware of the problems of the rain forest, it is equally important to lead them to an understanding that there are solutions within their grasp. They can make a difference.