Title: Title: What are What are tropical tropical

rainforests?rainforests?Date:Date:10/01/13.10/01/13.Lesson objectives ~Lesson objectives ~

To introduce the structure of the rainforest.To introduce the structure of the rainforest. To improve our literacy skills by learning To improve our literacy skills by learning

key words.key words.

Let’s play word bingo! Let’s play word bingo! Choose 4 words from the list Choose 4 words from the list below and write them on your below and write them on your handout.handout.

Leaves with drip tipsLeaves with drip tips

LianasLianas

Straight branchless Straight branchless trunkstrunks

Tall fast growing treesTall fast growing trees

Layer of HumusLayer of Humus

Buttress rootsButtress roots

CanopyCanopy

Dark and DampDark and Damp

Dense undergrowthDense undergrowth

EmergentEmergent

Feature Label on diagram Reason

Buttress roots These are needed to stop tall trees from toppling over.

Canopy This layer has all the plants and animals living in it.

Dark and Damp It is very dark because the sun can, not get through the intense vegetation.

Dense undergrowth Is found in places where rivers flow or trees have fallen and undergrowth has grown.

Emergent This is a tall tree, up to forty meters tall living above the canopy layer.

Leaves with drip tips Leaves have drip tips so that the rainwater can fall straight off the leaves.

Lianas These have adapted by looping around tall trees so that they can reach the sunlight.

Straight branchless trunks

Trees don’t have branches because branches waste the trees energy and all energy is needed to grow tall.

Tall fast growing trees Trees grow tall and fast to compete for sunlight.

Layer of Humus This forms quickly because of the damp and hot conditions.

Feature Label on diagram Reason

Buttress roots H These are needed to stop tall trees from toppling over.

Canopy C This layer has all the plants and animals living in it.

Dark and Damp I It is very dark because the sun can, not get through the intense vegetation.

Dense undergrowth G Is found in places where rivers flow or trees have fallen and undergrowth has grown.

Emergent A This is a tall tree, up to forty meters tall living above the canopy layer.

Leaves with drip tips D Leaves have drip tips so that the rainwater can fall straight off the leaves.

Lianas E These have adapted by looping around tall trees so that they can reach the sunlight.

Straight branchless trunks

F Trees don’t have branches because branches waste the trees energy and all energy is needed to grow tall.

Tall fast growing trees B Trees grow tall and fast to compete for sunlight.

Layer of Humus J This forms quickly because of the damp and hot conditions.

Your turn…

• Complete task 1 on the worksheet. • Complete the table by filling in all

the features and labels with reasons in the table.

• Extension task ~ draw on lines to your diagram to show the different layers ~ structure of the rainforest!

Answers to follow...