America's Rain Forests

A Distance Learning Adventure

Prince William Network, National Forest Foundation and USDA Forest Service

Lesson Plans

These lesson plans will help teachers achieve the objectives of this program, which are to help students:

  • Understand the basic ecology and functioning of both tropical and temperate rain forests. CLICK HERE
  • Recognize the value of rain forests, their resiliency, and the challenges they face due to human impacts. CLICK HERE
  • Be motivated to explore, study, and understand the ecosystems where they live. CLICK HERE
  • Understand that National Forests are public lands, managed for all, with unique management challenges. CLICK HERE

TEACHERS!

Compare your flora and fauna to that found in the tropical and temperate rain forests. During the live electronic field trip on October 14, a class in Puerto Rico and a class in Alaska will conduct a plant and animal survey of a sampling area that six meters by six meters square. You could compare their results to the results of a similar activity that you conduct in your environment. For the lesson plan with the sampling activity, CLICK HERE.

Forests are home to an amazing array of plants and animals. Each time you walk in a forest you run the risk of disrupting animal's lives and damaging the forest ecosystem. However, if care is taken, damage can be minimized and enjoyment maximized. For a list of "do's and don'ts" to review with your class, CLICK HERE.

 

Prince William Network • USDA Forest Service • Caribbean, Tongass,
Chugach, and Olympic National Forests • Pacific Northwest Research Station
International Institute of Tropical Forestry • National Forest Foundation
Alaska Department of Fish and Game • Alaska Department of Natural Resources
The Nature Conservancy • Alaska Natural History Association
Southeast Island School District