Rain Forest Module 2A
Unit 1 Lesson 1
Building Background Knowledge:
Examining the Unique Living Things of the Rainforests and the Scientists Who
Study Them
Stephen J. O’Connor
steve@wellsny.com
ccss5.com
Based upon lessons created by Expeditionary Learning
Learning Targets
•
I can listen effectively to my partner when sharing.
•
I can record what I notice and wonder about during a
Gallery Walk.
•
I can compare and contrast texts and images about
rainforests.
•
I can describe in writing a unique living thing from the
rainforest.
•
I can explain how scientists communicate their research
about the rainforest.
•
I can explain the general purpose of an informational text.
Learning Targets
•
I can listen effectively to my partner when
sharing.
Independently brainstorm what you
know about rain forests and record what
you know in your KWL chart.
Share with a partner what you know
already.
Focus of Module
•
You are going to become researchers and
scientists in order to learn more about the unique
life that exists in the rainforests.
•
You also will be building your skills as readers
and writers. As you study the rainforest, you also
will be learning even more about how to read
informational text and write effectively to
communicate with others.
As a group brainstorm what you want to
know about rain forests and record what
you know in your KWL chart.
Begin a new page in their journals titled:
Notices and Wonders—Scientific
Research in Rainforests
Learning Targets
•
I can record what I notice and wonder about
during a Gallery Walk.
•
I can compare and contrast texts and images
about rainforests.
The culture and customs of the Muruts
are uniquely distinguishable from other
groups in Sabah. They too use
blowpipe for hunting and attacking
enemies.The Murut men in the past
liked to fight fearlessness to prove he
is more courageous than others.
Before marriage the men must go to
the war, with at least one trophy to
bring back to show he is ready to look
after his own family. The trophy is none
other than the head of their enemy.
According to the Murut culture values, one
must respects another and always unite with
family and relatives. As in marriage, the bride
family may ask the bridegroom for 20 big jars,
20 small jars, 10 water buffaloes and
RM10,000.00 or more in cash as gift.
In a funeral, the family must wait for at least
seven days before they bury their loved one.
Sometimes, funeral day could reach two
weeks or even one month so that relatives
and friends from afar can come to pay last
respect. Those days, the Muruts used big jar
as coffin.
Learning Targets
•
I can explain how scientists communicate their
research about the rainforest.
•
I can explain the general purpose of an
informational text.
Pretend you are a scientific team
working in the rainforest. Talk with your
partner about how you would explain, or
describe, what you are doing or seeing
to someone who wasn’t there.
Write a brief paragraph in their journal
describing what they are doing or seeing
in the photograph.
Learning Targets
•
I can explain the general purpose of an
informational text.
Informational Texts
Learning Targets
•
I can listen effectively to my partner when sharing.
•
I can record what I notice and wonder about during a
Gallery Walk.
•
I can compare and contrast texts and images about
rainforests.
•
I can describe in writing a unique living thing from the
rainforest.
•
I can explain how scientists communicate their research
about the rainforest.
•
I can explain the general purpose of an informational text.
What are you most excited about learning about the
rainforest and why?
You will not only be learning about the
rainforest. You will also be learning about how
scientists research and communicate your
findings. At the end of the module, you will get
to be scientists and communicate what you
have learned to others.
•
Words and phrases that show the characters’
actions, thoughts, and feelings
•
Words and phrases to clearly identify the setting
•
Words/phrases from the UDHR your group is
focusing on
•
Words and phrases that make clear transitions
between events and scenes
Rehearse your Readers Theater Scripts
•
Consider the feedback they received
•
Determine as a group what they will change
about their performance based on the feedback
•
Practice reading through their scripts