Rainforests
Background Information & Activities

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Rainforests are some of the most important ecosystems on our planet. Experts estimate that over two-thirds of the world’s plant and animal species live in rainforests, and millions more species are yet to be discovered. Rainforests provide many natural resources, help manage the planet’s temperature, and help regulate and distribute fresh water. When children learn about rainforest habitats, they not only learn about exotic plants and animals and their adaptations for survival, but they also learn about Earth’s delicate balance and human’s impact on the environment. We recommend watching the Earth movie together as a review.

Review with your children that a rainforest is a thick, dense forest with a high annual rainfall. Some rainforests receive about two hundred inches of rain a year. Your children should understand that many rainforests are hot, humid areas, like in tropical areas near the Equator, but they also exist in cooler areas, such as in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Tropical and temperate rainforests cover just a small portion of our planet, but over half of the world’s plant and animal species live in them. Review with your children that a species is a scientific group of animals that share the same characteristics and have the same names. For example, howler monkeys are a species of monkey that live in tropical rainforests, but other species, such as spider monkeys and capuchin monkeys also live there.

The rainforest is divided into several different layers, though your children should be able to identify the three main ones: canopy, understory, and forest floor. The canopy is the “roof” of the rainforest and it is made up of the thick, leafy tops of tall trees. The canopy receives plenty of sunlight, providing food and homes for many animals. Some experts believe that the canopy could contain about half of all plant species and a quarter of all insect species. Other rainforest animals that live in the canopy include monkeys, birds, and sloths.

The understory is the layer between the canopy and the forest floor. The understory receives significantly less light than the canopy. Many plants that grow in the understory have large leaves in order to get as much sunlight as possible. Seedlings also grow in the understory, protected by larger trees. Animals such as butterflies, lizards, tree boas, and even jaguars can be found in the understory. The understory is the area many animals travel through to get to the canopy or the forest floor.

The forest floor is the bottom of the forest and it receives the least amount of light. As a result, few plants are able to grow there and the floor is relatively clear. It is important for your children to understand that soils in many rainforests tend to be infertile. Due to the hot, humid conditions and the presence of many different kinds of animals, dead plants and animals on the forest floor decompose quickly or are scavenged before they can break down into the soil. Many children believe that jungles and rainforests are similar. Jungles grow when the canopy breaks down and more light can reach the forest floor, allowing plants to grow densely. Rainforest floors tend to be relatively clear of plants. Many animals such as snakes, insects, elephants, and tapirs make their homes on the rainforest floor.

The rainforest is home to millions of living things and they all have special adaptations to survive in their habitat. Many rainforest plants have smooth, waxy leaves with special tips to help them remove excess water. Since the rainforest soil tends to be infertile, some plants feed on animals, such as pitcher plants. Some plants such as bromeliads can grow on the sides of tall trees to reach more sunlight. They are often called “air plants” because they grow high in the branches. Many trees have special roots which give them extra support in shallow, wet ground. Plants have adapted to have bright colors, large flowers, or fruit to attract animals and spread their pollen or seeds.

Rainforest animals also have special adaptations to compete and survive. Many use camouflage to blend into their surroundings. Clearwing butterflies have transparent wings so they can disappear in the rainforest. Sloths move so slowly that algae grows in their fur and they can hide in the rainforest canopy, and provide a home for tiny animals that live in their fur. Leopards, ocelots, and jaguars have spots or dark coloring to help them hide in the rainforest shadows. Some animals wish to be seen, such as the poison dart frog, whose bright skin warns predators. Poison dart frogs are some of the most poisonous animals on the planet, and many indigenous people have used their poison for their weapons. Other animals have more unique adaptations, such as the hoatzin, which is a bird that emits a strong, foul odor.

Rainforests are often called the “lungs” of the Earth because they emit oxygen into the air and take in carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming. Rainforests also help regulate Earth’s temperature and weather patterns. Many foods and spices we eat today come from the rainforest, including coffee, ginger, coconut, vanilla, ginger, and cacao, which is used to make chocolate. Furthermore, many modern medicines, particularly those that treat cancer, have come from rainforest plants. Unfortunately, the world’s rainforests are being felled and cleared for land and timber. Some experts estimate that each year about 50 million acres of rainforests are cut down, which is approximately the size of the United Kingdom. Because of its diversity, experts believe that over one hundred species become extinct a day due to deforestation. Remind your children that when a living thing becomes extinct, none of its kind if left in the world. When a living thing becomes endangered, only a few members of its species are left. Many of the plants and animals in rainforests have become endangered and millions more are at risk. Furthermore, indigenous people who rely on the rainforest have been displaced and they are forced to change their way of life.

Your children should understand that people impact the environment and that their actions can affect other living things around them. Empowering your children with information about the environment can help them understand how all living things are connected and allow them to make better choices in their daily lives.

Rainforests Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Rainforests Family Activities – Click Here!

Rainforests Teacher Activities

© 1999-2010 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Trip to the Zoo

If possible, take your students to the zoo to learn more about rainforest plants and animals. Many zoos have education specialists or guides who will talk to your students about the diverse life in the rainforest. Remind students that many rainforest plants and animals have become endangered. Have your students learn how people are protecting endangered life. Arm your students with notebooks or sketchpads so they can take notes about what they learn or draw what they see. How do these plants and animals survive in the rainforest? How do they stay safe? How do they get food, water, or shelter? Have students discuss and share what they learned or observed with the class.

Rainforest Mural

Create a mural of the rainforest in your classroom with your students. Discuss the main layers of the rainforest and the plants and animals that can be found in each layer. Students may need to do research to learn more about the diverse organisms that live in the rainforest. Line the walls of your classroom with butcher paper and have students draw plants, trees, and animals. Remind students to draw each living thing in the appropriate rainforest layer. Students should label their drawings and write a short description.

Endangered at Home

Learn about the endangered plants and animals in your area. What are causing these living things to become endangered? What can people do to protect them? Conduct research and brainstorm ways community members can protect local endangered species. Create a campaign together that promotes awareness. Students may want to create posters or a class website. They can create presentations or speeches about local endangered species to educate others.

Rainforests Family Activities

© 1999-2010 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.

Plant a Garden

Together with your child, plant a tree or other plant in your yard or in a local park or public garden. Plants help offset greenhouse gases and emit oxygen into the air. You may also wish to plant flowers or vegetables. Planting trees and gardens gives children the satisfaction of watching something grow and allows them to learn about life cycles of different plants. Gardens also provide habitats for insects and other animals. Furthermore, gardening is great exercise and eating home-grown vegetables is healthier (and tastes better) than mass-farmed crops.

Green Home

Help your child understand that his or her actions can affect other living things. For example, when they throw a plastic bottle into the trash, it winds up in landfills and can take hundreds of years to decompose. Instead they can recycle or reuse the bottle and help reduce the amount of trash that enters landfills. Promote different environmentally friendly habits at home including recycling and using green products that do not impact the environment negatively.