Classroom Rain Forest

One 2nd-grade class' celebration of Earth Day became a sustained commitment to caring for a rainforest.

To better understand tropical plants and their connections with society, the students did research in small groups, then drew or constructed models of plants, transforming their classroom into a model rain forest.  During their research, the students discovered they could adopt acres of the real rain forest to help preserve it, and calculated how much money they needed to do this.

The students maintained their obligation to the environment in their fund-raising efforts.  They created and presented, to parents and other classes, a program on dangers facing rain forests.  They charged each person who attended an empty pop can, which they recycled for money to purchase sections of rain forest.

As a follow-up to their presentation, the students wrote, illustrated, and bound their own story books about rain forests.  They donated the books to local doctors' offices, schools, and libraries so that the community could continue to learn about this important resource.

Adapted from "Route to Reform: K-8 service-learning Curriculum Ideas," © 1994-95 National Youth Leadership Council.