These lesson plans will help teachers achieve the objectives of this program, which are to help students:
- Understand the basic ecology and functioning of both tropical and temperate rain forests.
- Recognize the value of rain forests, their resiliency, and the challenges they face due to human impacts.
- Be motivated to explore, study, and understand the ecosystems where they live.
- Understand that National Forests are public lands, managed for all, with unique management challenges.
Animals - Diversity
Can It Be Real
Charting Diversity
By exploring the amazing diversity of life on Earth, your students will discover how plants and animals are adapted for survival. This activity provides a basis for understanding why there are so many different species and the value of biological diversity. Charting Diversity (PDF)
Planet of Plenty
In this activity, students will pretend they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity of life on Earth and will better understand its importance. Planet of Plenty (PDF)
Teeter-Totter
Students stage a simple puppet show between two spotted sandpipers -- one from Puerto Rico and one from Alaska. Students learn about the temperate and tropical rain forests ecosystems through the dialogue between the characters. Teeter Totter (PDF)
Can It Be Real
- A beetle that drinks fog.
- A flower that smells like rotting meat.
- A fish that "shoots down" its prey.
Charting Diversity
By exploring the amazing diversity of life on Earth, your students will discover how plants and animals are adapted for survival. This activity provides a basis for understanding why there are so many different species and the value of biological diversity. Charting Diversity (PDF)
Planet of Plenty
In this activity, students will pretend they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity of life on Earth and will better understand its importance. Planet of Plenty (PDF)
Teeter-Totter
Students stage a simple puppet show between two spotted sandpipers -- one from Puerto Rico and one from Alaska. Students learn about the temperate and tropical rain forests ecosystems through the dialogue between the characters. Teeter Totter (PDF)
Animals - Food Web
Forest Food Web
Students introduce themselves as elements of a forest ecosystem and link with the other elements they need to form a forest food web. Forest Food Web (PDF)
Tropical Forest Food Chain
Students explore one way that interdependency is seen in tropical forests, using food chains present in the Caribbean National Forest. Tropical Forest Food Chain (PDF)
Web of Life
Students take a close look at one particular ecosystem (a forest) and discover the ways that plans and animals are connected to each other. By substituting the appropriate information, you can use this activity to study other ecosystems, such as oceans, deserts, marshes, or praries. Web of Life (PDF)
What's for Dinner?
Student groups brainstorm and create the longest consumer-consumed food chain possible using either magazine pictures or research materials. What's for Dinner? (PDF)
Forest Food Web
Students introduce themselves as elements of a forest ecosystem and link with the other elements they need to form a forest food web. Forest Food Web (PDF)
Tropical Forest Food Chain
Students explore one way that interdependency is seen in tropical forests, using food chains present in the Caribbean National Forest. Tropical Forest Food Chain (PDF)
Web of Life
Students take a close look at one particular ecosystem (a forest) and discover the ways that plans and animals are connected to each other. By substituting the appropriate information, you can use this activity to study other ecosystems, such as oceans, deserts, marshes, or praries. Web of Life (PDF)
What's for Dinner?
Student groups brainstorm and create the longest consumer-consumed food chain possible using either magazine pictures or research materials. What's for Dinner? (PDF)
Plants - Dilemma
Forest Management Dilemmas
Student model decision-making by beginning with little information on an issue; then researching the issue; and, finally, reconsidering their decisions. Forest Management Dilemmas (PDF)
Forest Management Dilemmas
Student model decision-making by beginning with little information on an issue; then researching the issue; and, finally, reconsidering their decisions. Forest Management Dilemmas (PDF)
Inquiry Activities
One Square Meter
This series of activities will introduce students to the concept of a quadrat study. Students will discover the various components of their environment by carefully studying a small, delineated sample area. These activities will allow students to use the science process skills of observation, data collection, and recording. One Square Meter (PDF)
Quadrat Sampling 101
Students plan and conduct a simple sampling activity to estimate the population of grass plants in an area. Quadrat Sampling 101 (PDF)
One Square Meter
This series of activities will introduce students to the concept of a quadrat study. Students will discover the various components of their environment by carefully studying a small, delineated sample area. These activities will allow students to use the science process skills of observation, data collection, and recording. One Square Meter (PDF)
Quadrat Sampling 101
Students plan and conduct a simple sampling activity to estimate the population of grass plants in an area. Quadrat Sampling 101 (PDF)
Animals - Niche
Forest Scavenger Hunt
Students take part in an outdoor scavenger hunt to identify and review roles of organisms that make up a forest ecosystem. Forest Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
Forest Scavenger Hunt
Students take part in an outdoor scavenger hunt to identify and review roles of organisms that make up a forest ecosystem. Forest Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
Animals - Habitat Destruction
I Depend on You. You Depend on Me.
Forests are made up of thousands of organisms and non-living elements that are crucial in maintaining the integrity of a forest. At present, fragmentation is one of the biggest problems facing our forests. In this activity, students will represent some of the forest's elements. Through telling a story, students will perceive how fragmentation affects the quality of live of all living things. I Depend on Your. You Depend on Me. (PDF)
I Depend on You. You Depend on Me.
Forests are made up of thousands of organisms and non-living elements that are crucial in maintaining the integrity of a forest. At present, fragmentation is one of the biggest problems facing our forests. In this activity, students will represent some of the forest's elements. Through telling a story, students will perceive how fragmentation affects the quality of live of all living things. I Depend on Your. You Depend on Me. (PDF)
Plants - Diversity
Planet of Plenty
In this activity, students will pretend they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity of life on Earth and will better understand its importance. Planet of Plenty (PDF)
Planet of Plenty
In this activity, students will pretend they are visitors from outer space, viewing life on Earth for the first time. By describing in minute detail all the life they find in a small plot of land, they will become more aware of the diversity of life on Earth and will better understand its importance. Planet of Plenty (PDF)
Plants - Forest Resources
Making Paper
Students investigate the concept of the value of forests by brainstorming why trees are important to us and by making paper. Making Paper (PDF)
Tree of Life
Through a cooperative game, students will locate on a world map some countries that are known for their forest resources. They will also learn some characteristics of human groups who live and depend solely on tropical forests. Tree of Life (PDF)
Tropical Treehouse
Studying the tropical rain forests and issues involving the use of rain forests will enable your students to make more informed decisions regarding the future of such regions. While tropical rain forests and the temperate forests of North America operate on many of the same ecological principles, they differ greatly in their climates and in the types of soil, plants, and animals that make up the forest ecosystems. Tropical Treehouse (PDF)
Making Paper
Students investigate the concept of the value of forests by brainstorming why trees are important to us and by making paper. Making Paper (PDF)
Tree of Life
Through a cooperative game, students will locate on a world map some countries that are known for their forest resources. They will also learn some characteristics of human groups who live and depend solely on tropical forests. Tree of Life (PDF)
Tropical Treehouse
Studying the tropical rain forests and issues involving the use of rain forests will enable your students to make more informed decisions regarding the future of such regions. While tropical rain forests and the temperate forests of North America operate on many of the same ecological principles, they differ greatly in their climates and in the types of soil, plants, and animals that make up the forest ecosystems. Tropical Treehouse (PDF)
Plants - Photosynthesis
Rain Reasons
Rainfall, sunlight, and temperature are important factors influencing where plants can grow and, in turn, where animals can live. In this activity, students will desgin experiments to see how these climatic factors influence the growth and lives of plants. They will use the learned principles to explore how varying climate conditions have resulted in an astounding variety of forest types in Puerto Rico. Rain Reasons (PDF)
Forests and Sunlight
Students will visit two different types of forest sites. They will observe and take measurements to help determine the role that sunlight plays in each area. Forests and Sunlight (PDF)
Rain Reasons
Rainfall, sunlight, and temperature are important factors influencing where plants can grow and, in turn, where animals can live. In this activity, students will desgin experiments to see how these climatic factors influence the growth and lives of plants. They will use the learned principles to explore how varying climate conditions have resulted in an astounding variety of forest types in Puerto Rico. Rain Reasons (PDF)
Forests and Sunlight
Students will visit two different types of forest sites. They will observe and take measurements to help determine the role that sunlight plays in each area. Forests and Sunlight (PDF)
Plants - Succession
Flipbook Succession
As students walk (or crawl) along a transect line, they will observe differences in the types and abundance of plants, draw these changes, and make a flipbook to show stages of succession. Flipbook Succession (PDF)
Flipbook Succession
As students walk (or crawl) along a transect line, they will observe differences in the types and abundance of plants, draw these changes, and make a flipbook to show stages of succession. Flipbook Succession (PDF)
Soil - Soil Life
Investigating Animals in Soil
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record observations of small animal activity. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. Investigating Animals in Soil (PDF)
Investigating Animals in Soil
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record observations of small animal activity. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. Investigating Animals in Soil (PDF)
Water - Riparian Animals
Investigating Animals in Water
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record water animals. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. Investigating Animals in Water (PDF)
Investigating Animals in Water
Students will stake out a study plot outdoors and record water animals. Students will rotate roles including: mapmaker, recorder, classifier, and counter/estimator. They will also collect samples for close investigation back in the classroom. Investigating Animals in Water (PDF)
Water - Water Cycle
Water Wonders
The water cycle is the system by which Earth's fixed amount of water is collected, purified, and distributed from the environment to living things and back to the environment. In this lesson plan, students will make connections between the water cycle and all living things. Water Wonders (PDF)
Water Wonders
The water cycle is the system by which Earth's fixed amount of water is collected, purified, and distributed from the environment to living things and back to the environment. In this lesson plan, students will make connections between the water cycle and all living things. Water Wonders (PDF)
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