Bernhard Moos School
and
Frances S. Rocha Branch School


 

Mini-Quest Lesson by Ms. Bruce, Ms. Nieves and Ms. Reid

Standards for Grade Level(s):

 

 

State Goal #

Area

CAS Letter

CFS Number(s)

 

1

Language Arts

A

1-10, 12-17

 

 

 

B

2

 

 

 

C

1,3

 

            2

 

A             

1

 

            3

 

A

1-5

 

 

 

B

4

 

 

 

C

1

 

            4

 

A

1-3

 

 

 

Task:  You are going to be experts of the rainforest.  We are going on a field trip to learn more about the rainforest with it’s beautiful parrots, banana trees, spiders and the playful monkeys. We will have a group of botanists, zoologists, and environmentalists.  You will identify plants and animals of the rainforest and discover how and why environmentalists are working to save the rainforest from destruction. We will create a collage-type mural and produce a mini-drama depicting the rainforest.

 

 

Materials: trade books, videos, also a field trip to the zoo

 

 

Process:

 

1.    You will be divided into three groups of experts. 

-         botanist

-         zoologist

-         environmentalist

Each expert will have websites where you can obtain information.

All experts will begin by taking a walk through the rainforest. Go to, “Take a walk in the rainforest.”

 

Role #1 Botanist – The plant expert studies all of the different plants found in the rainforest and how they adapt to the conditions of the rainforest. Go to, “How plants adapt to conditions of the rainforest.”

Role #2 -  Zoologist – An animal expert is needed to learn all about the different kinds of animals in the rainforest. Go to, “Animal coloring book.”

Role #3 – Environmentalist  - An expert in protecting our natural resource will tell us what we can do to save the rainforest. – Go to, “Rainforest heroes,” and click on, “ 7 steps kids can take to save the rainforest.” Also go to, “How plants adapt to the conditions of the rainforest.”

 

 

Resources:  Various trade books – titles to be added

 

Title: URL

Description

 

http://www.ran.org/kids_action/actioncenter.html

Calling all rainforest heroes

 

http://www.pbs.org/tal/costa_rica/rainwalk.html

Take a walk in the rainforest – self guided tour

 

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/rforest/plants/index.htm

How plants adapt to the conditions of the rainforest

 

http://www.rainforest-

alliance.org/kids&teachers/kids/coloring-book/index.html

Animal coloring book

 

 

Scaffolding Lessons:

 

Cyberhunt

 

Assessment:   

Rubric

Checklist