Topic: The Rainforests
Block F: The Rainforest Under Threat
Learn about the destruction of the rainforest. Research the arguments for and against deforestation
and make an interactive wall display to show your learning, showcase this in a class debate. Reflect on
the learning and write a final poem.
Block F: The Rainforest
Main outcome of topic: Geography
Under Threat
Other outcomes: Science, DT, English, Art, Music and PSHE
[7 sessions]
By the end of this block you
will have achieved the
following outcomes:
Session 1
Geography and Music
The Vanishing Rainforest
Learn about the destruction
of the rainforest; research
the arguments for and
against deforestation; make
an interactive wall display to
show your learning.
Session 2
Geography and English
The Big Decision
In role, debate the
arguments for and against
the deforestation of the
rainforest; capture the
Vanishing Rainforest story in
a comic strip.

Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human
geography of a region of the UK and a region within a rainforest.
 Explore the effect humans can have on their environment.
 Appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality recorded music.
 Adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in
role.
 Become more familiar with and confident in using language in a variety of situations
and for a variety of role play situations.
 Sequence a story through words and pictures.
 Write in poetic style.
 Develop art techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with
creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art,
craft and design.
 Use research and develop design criteria to functional products that are fit for
purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
 Develop feelings of empathy towards others and to explore world concerns.
 Recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers
to living things.
 Use search technologies for locating information relevant to suggested themes.
Children will:
 Understand the meaning of deforestation.
 Investigate the positive and negative points of deforestation.
 Create interactive tree trunk display of deforestation facts.
 Learn rainforest facts through song.
Children will:
 Investigate the positive and negative points of deforestation.
 Show empathy with each of the groups involved in deforestation.
 Understand the role of environmental researchers.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred
to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton
Trust) and to the best of Hamilton Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links
and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links.
Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use. Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and
liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
Session 3
Geography, Art and PSHE
Portraits of the People
Look carefully at portraits of
Kavapo people; empathise
with them; learn about the
way they dress; create your
own oil pastel portraits.
Children will:
 Analyse the facial expressions of various people.
 Experiment with drawing portraits and techniques in using oil pastels.
Session 4
Geography, ICT and Science
Endangered and Extinct
Research fact files about the
endangered species of the
rainforest.
Children will:
 Understand the concept of endangered and extinct.
 Research information about endangered animals of the rainforest.
 Record relevant information as a fact file card.
Session 5
Geography, DT and Science
The Endangered Rainforest
game
Design and make a board
game using your knowledge
of the endangered creatures
of the rainforest.
Session 6
Geography and Art
Through the Window –
Collage
Using the knowledge you
have gained about the
deforestation of the
rainforest, create a ‘Through
the Window’ art piece.
Children will:
 Understand the concept of endangered and extinct.
 Design and make a board game based on this concept.
Session 7
Geography and English
Through the Window Poetry
Reflect on all you have learnt
in this block and especially
your ‘Through the Window’
art piece to write a final
poem.
Children will:
 Use the concept of deforestation to stimulate writing ideas.
 Write poetry based on the rainforest.
 Use a repeated pattern to write poetry.
Children will:
 Understand the concept of deforestation.
 Create a collage based on the rainforest.
 Experiment with tissue paper to create various colours.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred
to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton
Trust) and to the best of Hamilton Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links
and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links.
Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use. Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and
liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Photo of deforestation effects; Cutting down Rainforests; Extent of deforestation
powerpoint (slides 5-9 contain extra information for teacher); Role play cards, cut into strips; Display
ideas.
You will need: Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker; Window by Jeannie Baker; The
Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt.
Session 2
Provided: Classroom plan resource; Drama outline resource; Comic strip outline resource.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt.
Session 3
Provided: The Kayapo Tribe (print off some of the photos); How to sketch a portrait… (also print out as
a hand out – small version of each step on a worksheet); Oil pastel tips.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt; 2B or 4B pencils;
Oil pastels; Sketch paper.
Session 4
Provided: What is an endangered animal?; Endangered species map; Fact file cards (cut up); Research
prompts; Easier research; Blank fact file cards.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt.
Session 5
Provided: Game planning resource; Game template resource; Ranger Counters resource.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt; Card; Paper;
Pencils, markers and other drawing tools; Ruler; Scissors; Glue; Counters; Dice.
Session 6
Provided: Tissue Paper Collage resource.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt; Tissue paper in
various shades of green, brown, blue and pink; White glue 50/50 with water; Soft medium sized
paintbrush; Pencil; Scissors; Black A4 card; A4 Transparency/ Laminates.
Session 7
Provided: Poetry writing frame resource.
You will need: Window by Jeannie Baker; The Vanishing Rainforest by Richard Platt.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred
to as the ‘Links’) have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton
Trust) and to the best of Hamilton Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links
and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links, changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links.
Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use. Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and
liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.