RAINFOREST REALITIES

Subject/Content Area: Science, Language Arts, Math, and Social Science

Target Audience: This multigrade level unit will involve third and sixth grade students. This is an interactive, interdisciplinary, thematic project. This is appropriate for students at all ability levels. Program requires hardware/software for Internet access.

Project Goal: When posed with the problem of destruction of the rainforest, students will develop interpersonal skills, research skills, content objectives, technical skills, and higher order thinking skills.

Learner Outcomes: Through cooperative activities, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to collect data using various technologies (Internet, CD ROM, computer software/hardware, and e-mail).
• Analyze the impact of specific human activities on the destruction of tropical rainforests.
• Organize and analyze collected information gained through interaction with experts.
• Explain the important biological, social, and aesthetic values of the tropical rainforest to their environment.

Alignment with Standards (National Standards):

• Science Standards: 7, 15, 18
• Language Arts: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
• Math: 4, 6
• Geography: 1, 2, 4, 8, 14, 16, 18

Assessment of Students: Students' performance will be assessed formatively through teacher observations. Students and teachers will cooperatively develop a rubric for the final product. Summative evaluation will include self-evaluation and teacher evaluation.