Rainforests: Temperate and Tropical

Introduction

There are two types of rainforest in the world - temperate and tropical. Temperate rainforests can be found in North America. Tropical rainforests are near the equator in Central and South America. Both types of rainforest are disappearing at an alarming rate. In this WebQuest you will explore the types of rainforests found in North, Central, and South America. You will compare and contrast the two types of forest and learn about the plant life that flourishes there.

The Task

Your task is to use the information from the website to:

  • Compare and contrast a tropical and temperate rainforest.
  • Find out why rainforests are disappearing and why they should be preserved.
  • Discover plants that live in both types of rainforests.
  • Create a poster with text and graphics to report your findings and persuade people to do their part to save the rainforests.
  • Write an editorial for the newspaper about the importance of saving the rainforests.

The Process - Read all directions before you begin your work!!

Activity 1: Rainforest WebQuest

  • View the Rainforest Web Guide.(You have a printed copy.)
  • Go to Resources below. Click The Evergreen Project - Rainforests of the World.
  • Click on the links at the web site to find the information for your web guide.

Resources

Rainforest Web Guide

The Evergreen Project - Rainforests of the World

VENN Diagram

Activity 2: Write an editorial to the newspaper on the importance of saving the Rainforests of the Americas

Use your notes, VENN Diagram and answers to the questions in the Web Guide to write your editorial. Your editorial should include at least one paragraph on each of the following:

  • Descriptions of both temperate and tropical rainforests
  • Location of both temperate and tropical rainforests
  • Reasons why the rainforests are disappearing and why they should be preserved

Activity 3: Create a poster on the importance of saving the Rainforests of the Americas. It should include:

  • A Tropical Rainforest Plant
  • A Temperate Rainforest Plant
  • An interesting fact about the disappearing Rainforest
  • The graphics can be hand drawn, computer drawn, or photographs from the web site or magazines.
  • References (websites, books, magazines, etc. from which you took your information).

Evaluation

The Rainforest Web Guide will be evaluated for accuracy.

The poster and editorial will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Work is completed on time.
  • Poster includes text and graphics.
  • Poster is informative.
  • Written work is paraphrased (in your own words).
  • Spelling and grammar are correct.
  • Information is accurate and appropriate.

Rainforest: Temperate and Tropical was created by Cindy Cooper, Technology Specialist at OakViewElementary School (Guilford County Schools), High Point, NC

Adapted by Linda Brokish, Library Media Specialist, LodiElementary School, Lodi, WI