A Webquest by Amy Boehman

Travel to the Rainforest
A Webquest for 3^rd Grade Social Studies

By: Amy Boehman

Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Resources

Introduction Back to the Top

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. is opening a new display on tropical rainforests in the summer. As you know, the tropical rainforest region is located near the equator so many children have never had the chance to see it. The National Zoo wants to show that many things depend on the rainforest, including plants, animals, and people. They have asked students to help them find information on why rainforests are endangered and what kids can do to help save them. The National Zoo wants to have a display showing this persuasive information in the form of a colorful poster to help persuade other children to save the rainforests.

Task Back to the Top

It is your job to research information on rainforests on the Internet links below. You need to find answers to the following questions before you can start your persuasive poster:

v Why is the rainforest important?

v Why are rainforests endangered?

v What can KIDS do to help save the rainforest?

v What are two plants and two animals that depend on the rainforest for survival?

v What are two products that come from the rainforest that people use?

You will use this information to create a persuasive poster explaining why rainforests need to be saved. The poster will be displayed in the rainforest exhibit at The National Zoo in Washington D.C.

Link to Student Record Sheet

Process Back to the Top

1. Find out why rainforests are important by clicking on both of the pictures below. Record the information on your resource sheet.

Text Box: Click the tree for the first link. Text Box: Click the forest for the second link. THEN scroll down the page until you see “The Importance of Rainforests”.

2.Find out why rainforests are endangered. Record the information on your resource sheet.

Text Box: Click the logs for the link. THEN scroll down to “How is the rainforest threatened?”

3. Find 3 ways that YOU (as a kid) can help save the rainforest. Write these ways on your resource sheet.

Text Box: Click on the kids for the link.

3. Find 2 plants that live in the rainforest.

Text Box: Click the flower to go to the link.

5. Find 2 animals that need to live in the rainforest to survive.

Text Box: Click the jaguar to go to the link. Then click on “Animal Printouts” on the left side of the screen.

6. Find 2 products that come from the rainforest.

Text Box: Click on the forest to go to the link.

Evaluation Back to the Top

See link to the poster rubric page.

Conclusion Back to the Top

Congratulations! Now you are a rainforest expert. Your poster will be on display after it is completed.

You have learned that many plants, animals, and people depend on the rainforest for survival. You also learned that kids can help save the rainforest. If we don’t take action to protect the rainforest, they may not be around for too much longer.

If you would like to learn more about the rainforest, the links below are a great place to find more information.