Rainforest Lesson: Reading and Social Studies
Lesson Plan
1 hourGradesK, 1, 2Geography, English Language Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Elizabeth Ward
About this lesson
Students are introduced to the rainforest biome through a read aloud, discussions, and responding through writing or creating an art piece.
Inquire: Students participate in an interactive read aloud of Zonia’s Rainforest.
Investigate: Students locate the equator and tropical rainforests on a map.
Inspire: Students produce a writing and/or art piece showing what they have learned about the rainforest.
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Everything you need to teach it
- Teacher SlideshowOpen
- Student DocumentsOpen
- Rainforest Unit OutlineOpen
- Station Guide & MaterialsOpen
- Plant & Animal Mini-PostersOpen
- Vocabulary CardsOpen
Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Most classes will not be able to complete all three portions of the lesson in one setting. The Inquire section may be taught during the ELA block while the Investigate and Inspire sections could happen during Science or Social Studies. Alternatively, the lesson could be broken up over multiple days.
- Juana Martinez-Neal, the author of Zonia’s Rainforest, provides additional learning material for teachers in the back of the book.
- Teachers should feel free to embed other ELA skills that are being taught currently in the classroom. This could include the concepts of theme and plot or phonics skills such as sight word identification.
- The station activities allow students to practice academic skills while exploring themed materials.
- Teacher introduces the Rainforest Book Exploration and Rainforest Yoga stations and activities.
- Teacher can teach the “In the Rainforest” song from the Unit Plan.
- This song can be taught in parts. Teacher may come up with movements to go along with the song. This will be a fun song to use as a transition song, during morning meetings, or as a brain break.
- A displayable version of the song is in the Teacher Slideshow and a student version of the song is in the Student Document.
- For more information about the Asháninka people and how they are actively fighting deforestation, check out the following resources. Note: These are resources for the teacher and may not be developmentally appropriate to share directly with students.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 1 of 3 in our K-2nd grade Rainforest Unit.
- Teachers will need to source a hard copy of the book Zonia’s Rainforest from their local or school library.
- If Zonia’s Rainforest is not available, the teacher may utilize a different text such as My Brother Needs a Boa from Epic! books. Teacher should ensure that the Indigenous perspective is still highlighted throughout the lesson. Teachers will need a free account to access Epic! books.
- Student participation will be stronger if they have some knowledge of climate protections such as reducing, reusing, and recycling.
- If choosing to use the station activities, teachers may need to source materials.
- Pronunciation assistance:
Differentiation
- Teacher may choose to teach the lessons, use the station activities, or both.
- Teacher may substitute station activities that are relevant to the content being learned in the classroom. For example, the Reading Response pages in Rainforest Book Read Aloud can be edited to focus on specific story elements, author traits, etc.
- The art/writing activity can be done as a whole class activity or placed in an art/writing station to be completed at the individual students’ paces.
- The Student Document contains writing pages for students at different levels.
- Plant and Animal Mini-Posters have been provided. These will become especially useful in future lessons. During Lesson 1, some uses may include:
- decorating the learning space
- introducing a new species each morning during morning meeting
- using the posters as a guide for writing/spelling and art
Framework for Shifting Paradigms in Climate Education
This resource exemplifies the Honors Deep Community Knowledge Key Focus Area.
- Core Component 1: Culturally Relevant Storytelling and Place-Based Learning
- The lesson uses Zonia’s Rainforest, a story centered on an Asháninka child, to ground learning in a culturally relevant narrative that highlights the lived experiences of Indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest. This storytelling approach makes the content accessible and meaningful for young learners while anchoring it in a specific place—Zonia’s home in the rainforest—connecting literacy development with social and ecological awareness.
- Core Component 2: Exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge Through Hands-On Experiences
- Through interactive mapping, guided discussions, and art or writing responses, students explore how the rainforest provides food, water, shelter, and medicine. By engaging in these hands-on learning experiences, students begin to understand the deep relationship Indigenous communities have with their environment.
- Core Component 3: Cultural Respect and Collaborative Community Engagement
- The lesson fosters respect for Indigenous ways of knowing by centering the Asháninka people and their role in rainforest stewardship. Students are encouraged to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life and to consider what actions they can take as a class or community to help protect the rainforest, creating a foundation for meaningful civic engagement rooted in empathy and shared responsibility.
From the scientist review
This lesson provides an overview of the rainforest, including its features, makeup, and climatic conditions. The varieties of flora and wildlife that can be found in a rainforest, as well as the ways Indigenous peoples can conserve it, will all be explored by the students. After careful examination, the lesson has passed the science review and is recommended for instruction based on the quality of the videos, Student Document, and other supporting materials.
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About the teacher writer
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Elizabeth Ward
Elizabeth Ward, B.S., is SubjectToClimate's Chief Product Officer. She has more than 12 years of teaching experience across 3rd-grade science and social studies, Kindergarten, and online EFL, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Endorsement. She has spent 8 years in the education sector, spanning curriculum development and ed tech. Outside of work, she loves exploring the natural beauty of her home state of Texas.
