This activity is set to all Year 9 groups in the first half of the summer term. It is marked according to levels, and helps determine the Key Stage 3 Teacher Assessed level for Year 9 students at KES. It is grouped with the other teacher assessed pieces of work.
The students have 2 homeworks, and one intervening lesson to put together a concise report on the rainforests. This normally runs over the half term period to give them a little extra time and chance to do some background research. They need to ensure that they answer the following questions. The area we focus on is, unsurprisingly, the Amazon rainforest.
1. Where in the world are the Tropical Rainforests found ? (2 marks - need to produce a map) - students are issued with blank A5 outline map of the world
2. What is the climate like in rainforest areas ? (include information about temperature and rainfall) (6 marks - need to include a climate graph) - students are issued with a blank outline grid on which to produce the graph, and given guidance on finding statistics, or are provided with some
3. Describe how the plants, animals and people that live in the rainforest adapt to the conditions (7 marks)
4. Why are rainforests being destroyed ?
What problems is this creating ?
What is being done to protect the rainforests ? (10 marks)
TOTAL: 25 marks
4. FOOD CHAINS
Food Chains are covered in a useful new site put on by BBCi. These are for Primary science. Pupils have to identify organisms and relate them to a food web. There's also a QUIZ. Go HERE for the information.
5. Make sure that you subscribe to the WWF LIFELINES Magazine: News and Ideas for Teachers.
The Spring 2004 issue is entitled: "Who owns the forests ?" and includes a range of useful ideas and activities which you may find useful.
The insert talks about the Sem Terra movement for homeless workers in Brazil. The website is HERE.
Also has information on the issue of rainforest ownership - ownership means control. The WORLDLAND TRUST has a scheme of this type. There's also a useful list of EVERYDAY PRODUCTS that come from the rainforests, which include:
WOODS: Balsa, Mahogany, Sandalwood, Teak
FIBRES: Bamboo, Jute, Kapok, Raffia, Rattan
FRUITS: Avocado, Banana, Coconut, Durian, Mango, Passion Fruit
SPICES: Black pepper, chile, cinnamon, nutmeg
FOODS: Brazil nuts, cashews, okra, sweet potatoes, tapioca
PHARMACEUTICALS: Curare, Quinine, Strychnine
There are plenty more in every category....
CLIMATE DATA
Below are some data to allow a comparison between the UK and Brazil. The figures are for Norwich and Manaus in central Amazon.
NORWICH
|
|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| Rainfall (mm) | 52 | 37 | 50 | 45 | 47 | 47 | 60 | 58 | 52 | 75 | 63 | 65 |
| Temp (°C) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
MANAUS
|
|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| Rainfall (mm) | 249 | 231 | 262 | 221 | 170 | 84 | 58 | 38 | 46 | 107 | 142 | 203 |
| Temp (°C) | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Click on the link below to go the Rainforest Site: each click helps buy acres of rainforest and save them from deforestation.
