Lower Key Stage 2 Rainforests - NEW LOOK
Introducing the Rainforests

Discover key information about world rainforests; find out where in the world they are, what their climate, topography and flora and fauna are like. Carry out research and present your very own nature documentary about tropical rainforests.

Session 1 What is a rainforest?

Objectives

Geography

  • To consider our existing knowledge and understanding about rainforests.
  • To begin to describe key aspects of rainforest regions.
  • To develop effective questioning skills.

Enquiry questions

What do we know about rainforests and what do we want to find out?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • share our existing knowledge and understanding about rainforests.
  • use a range of vocabulary to describe what a rainforest might be like.
  • formulate questions to extend our knowledge and understanding about rainforests (and encourage critical thinking).

You Will Also Need

Large sheets of paper
Pencils/pens
Sticky notes (optional)

Weblinks
Flying over the rainforest in South East Asia

Session 2 Where in the world and why are they there?

Objectives

Geography

  • To locate the world’s rainforests on a map and know their position in relation to the Equator and Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
  • To describe and understand key geographical features of a rainforest region such as climate, topography, major cities, and rivers.

Enquiry question

Where are rainforests located in the world and what are they like?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Mark the locations of the continents, Equator and Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn on a world map showing the main tropical rainforest regions.
  • Develop geographical knowledge and vocabulary related to rainforests.
  • Work with others to research key geographical features of one of the world’s tropical rainforest regions.

You Will Also Need

Atlases
Non-fiction books about the rainforest
Access to the internet

Session 3 Documentary making!

Objectives

Geography

  • To use geographical knowledge and vocabulary to describe a rainforest region.
  • To identify features of a documentary.
  • To present information about a rainforest region in the style of a nature documentary.

Enquiry question

How can we share our rainforest research with others?

Outcomes
Children will:

  • Develop geographical knowledge and vocabulary related to rainforests.
  • Describe the features of a documentary.
  • Work with others to plan, rehearse and give a presentation about one of the world’s tropical rainforest regions (in the style of a nature documentary).

You Will Also Need

Paper, coloured pens and pencils for creating visual aids (optional)

Weblinks
How to save our jungles - film clip from WWF International, narrated by David Attenborough
Our Planet – Jungles - 50 minute documentary, also narrated by David Attenborough