Lesson Plan
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Brazil: The Great Kapok Tree (Unit 3, Lesson 10)
Course, Subject
Biology/Living Environment, English Language Arts (2005), Math, Science & Technology, Social Studies
Grade Levels
Elementary, 3rd Grade
Description
The Great Kapok Tree is Lesson 10 in an eleven-lesson unit on Brazil. The unit is part of a curriculum developed by teachers from the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES region.
In this sample lesson, students will be introduced to the Amazon Rain Forest through a fictional read aloud, and will respond to it in writing that mirrors the ELA assessment. Then they will consider the plight of the rain forest today through a combination of photographs, video, a virtual field trip, and non-fictional articles.
Website(s)
Social Studies/English Language Arts Curriculum
SS/ELA Curriculum: Sample Lessons
Essential Unit Question
- How has geography affected the development of Brazil?
- Why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest?
Resources/Materials
- Cherry, Lynne. The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990. Exhausted from his labors, a man chopping down a great kapok tree in the Brazilian rain forest puts down his ax, and, as he sleeps, the animals who live in the tree plead with him not to destroy their world. This modern fable with its urgent message contains an abundance of information in the text and in the lush paintings that portray the wildlife and vegetation of the area.
- Tropical Rainforests: Saving What Remains. Chapter 10: “SOLUTIONS: How to Save Tropical Rainforests." Rhett A. Butler. June 14, 2007. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/1001.htm (Background for teachers).
- "How Can We Save Rainforests?" Rhett A. Butler. Kids. Mongabay.com June 14, 2007. http://kids.mongabay.com/elementary/610.html This site contains readings for students and a wonderful page called “What You Can Do At Home to Help the Environment.” The reading level may be challenging for some students.
Vocabulary
- deforestation
- preservation
Activities/Procedures
Day 1
Read aloud The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry. Students will take notes while listening.
Day 2
Distribute the Great Kapok Tree packet. Review the directions and the rubric. Allow 45 minutes for students to complete written responses. This time frame can mirror ELA test situation.
Day 3
- After brainstorming what students know about the rainforests, the teacher should pose the question, why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest?
- Select appropriate resources from the list above, and direct students to discover the answer to why should we be concerned with preserving the Amazon Rain Forest and what we can do about the problem.
- Have students share their answers with the class.
Evaluation/Assessment
Teacher will use the rubric to assess The Great Kapok Tree SS/ELA written responses.
Content Provider
The Integrated Social Studies/ELA Curriculum is a user-friendly curriculum developed by teachers from the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES region and beyond. Updated annually, the content of the curriculum is based on the New York State Social Studies Resource Guide with Core Curriculum, integrates the New York State ELA Standards and uses an Understanding by Design (UbD) template. Each grade level curriculum contains complete lesson plans for teachers, handouts for students, and technology links.
The curriculum can be accessed by using a grade-level specific password which can be purchased for your district through the Putnam/Westchester BOCES. For more information, contact:
- Marla Gardner (914) 248-2332
- Judy Powers (914) 248-2333
