Tropical rainforests are integral to a healthy planet and its ability to support life. They regulate earths climate, area deterrent against the greenhouse effect, contain edible food crops and other resources and prevent impoverishment and famine. Rainforests regulate rainfall on a global level which in turn affects global climate. They are the single greatest terrestrial source of oxygen. Rainforests also bring us food, herbs, pharmaceuticals, and many other items that are commonplace in our daily life. Use this pathfinder to introduce and explore rainforests with students so they can be informed on these tropical treasures.

Curr/Ref Science B772 1990 p73 The Amazing Dirt Book by Paulette Bourgeois. Plant a miniature rain forest of your own! Curr/Ref Science B622 1991,v.2 ‘Ohi’a Project. In the grade five unit, there is a section called “Leaf it Alone!” which includes rain forests as one of its topics (p69 -76). Another section entirely devoted to rain forests called “Creating a Rainforest Room”(p108 -128) Curr/Ref Science B622 1990 video ‘Ohi’a Project “We all Need the Forest.” A corresponding video to the above book focusing on the forests. Curr/Ref Science The Rainforest by Daryl Vriesenga. A resource guide with ideas for learning centers, bulletin boards, a rainforest party, and many others.

Curr/Ref Science S761 1991 What on Earth You Can Do with Kids by Robyn Freedman Spizman and Marianne Daniles Grarber, Ph.D. In the chapter for March, there are many activities that expose children to the basics of the rain forests, including identifying different animals and placing them where they live inside the rain forest.‘ Curr/Ref Science B859 1994 pp. 106-108 1001 Ideas for Science Projects by Marion A. Brisk, Ph.D. A project idea focusing on the effects of tropical deforestation. Includes valuable information on why rain forests are needed.

General Collection

DS646.32 .P85S4513 1994 Nomads of the Borneo Rain Forest by Bernard Sellato. For a more mature audience, this book tells about some of the people living in rain forests and how one can become a part of them. Folio QH541 .E46 1987 pp. 42-49 The Encyclopedia of Animal Ecology by Peter Moore. Wonderful pictures and a plethora of information on the many animals and bugs that live in both tropical and temperate rain forests. Folio QH541 .S5345 1995 Nature in Danger by Noel Simon. More beautiful pictures, and some general information on rain forests. This book then goes into more depth into specific rain forests such as Australia’s Tropical Rain Forest and the Forests of Zaire. Folio QH541.13 .H36 1994 Habitats by Tony Hare. A wonderful book with a foldout panorama that includes animals and plants that live in the rain forests. Also includes great information and dynamics.

Folio QH541 .M565 1995 Ecology and Environment by Sally Morgan. Includes a concise definition of a rain forest as well as the different interactions rain forests have with other environmental aspects. Folio QK50.H83 1992 Green Inheritance by Anthony Huxley. The index of this book lists such topics as the areas occupied by, the conservation of, tropical range of plants in, and vegetation of rain forests. Folio QH541.5 .R27V3 1991 The Plight of the Tropical Rainforest:Vanishing Eden edited by Edward Atkins. An entire book on the discovery, the plant and animal life, the people, and the destruction of the beautiful rain forests.

Children's Collection

Children 574.5 J51w A Walk Through a Rain Forest by David and Mark Jenike. Learn about life in the Ituri Forest of Zaire. Children 574.5 M433e Ecology:Earth’s Living Resources by Anthea Maton, et. al. This book puts the reader directly into the rain forests and makes s/he realize the importance of these forests. Children 574.5 P174r Rain Forests by Joy Palmer. This book answers many questions like “What are Rain Forests?” and “Where are Rain Forests?” as well as describing various plants, and animals. It also tells why rain forests are so important. Children Folio 591.52 E56e Endangered Animals by Howard Robinson. A book of endangered animals, many who live in the earth’s rain forests.

Children 551.4 G611t Tropical Rain Forests by Delia Goetz. This book contains a lot of information on where rain forests are, and what the daily weather and life is like. Children Rain Forest by Barbara Taylor. Beautiful photographs of plant and animals in the rain forests with great information by each picture. Children Nature’s Green Umbrella:Tropical Rain Forests by Gail Gibbons. Great illustrations accompany easy to read basic information on rain forests.

Periodicals

Teacher’s Helper Grade 1 April/May/June 1997 “Life in a Tropical Rain Forest” Banner pp. 33-41. With instructions on the back, children can decorate their own banner while learning all about the rain forest. Challenge Nov./Dec. 1994 “Rainforest Under Construction” pp. 22-26. Begin constructing a rain forest for the classroom with these ideas of how to make rainforest trees and animals out of papier-mâché. Challenge Mar./Apr. 1994 “The Biomes” pp. 12-14. The rainforest biome is highlighted in a study of three major biomes that lists valuable information and ideas on how to teach about the forests.

Ranger Rick’s Nature Scope “Rain Forests: Tropical Treasures” An entire volume dedicated to rain forests divided into various sections such as “an overview,” “life in tropical rainforests,” and others. . Educational Oasis Mar./Apr 1996 “A Giant of the Rain Forest” pp. 50-52 Learn all about the Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower in the rain forest measuring at least three feet across. There are also many related activities listed in this article. Educational Oasis Sept./Oct. 1995 “Tropical Rain Forests” pp. 11-18. A unit centered on rain forests with activities such as book reviews, guided imagery, growing rain forests, and others.

Internet Resources

http://www.ran.org./ran/kids_action/index.html A rain forest site directed towards kids: how they can help, what they can learn, and a kids art gallery of pictures of the rainforests. Plus a link to the rainforest action network that allows students to take actions to help preserve the forests immediately. http://www.rain.org/~jinj/rainforest.html Extensive index of world wide rain forest resources and organizations. http://www.eduweb.com/amazon.html Learn all about the Ecuadorian Amazon and its native peoples who live in the rainforests. There are also games to help with learning the geography of the area.

http://www.rainforest.org/ A wonderfully put-together site with ideas on how schools can help save the rain forests, tons of background information, and many other wonderful things to explore. http://www.pbs.org/edens/manu/ A site dedicated to the rain forests of Manu in Peru. Learn about the people of Manu, the flora and fauna, its history, conservation, and obtain classroom resources. http://kids.osd.wednet.edu/Marshall/rainforest_home_page.html Visit a rainforest workshop put on the web by a teacher and her students. It also has other educational resources to aid in lesson plans.

Photo compliments of R. Hays Cummins http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/html/ TropEcoCostaRicaImage.html

Posters

The following posters are of animals who live in the rain forests, as well as some in-depth descriptions of certain types of rainforests. Many also contain information and activities on the back.

	Manipulatives
	Curr/TA Science 117 Rainstick - listen to the sound of rain when the stick is turned up-side down. Curr/TA Science 112 Rain Forest Layers giant shaped floor puzzle.

CD ROMs
Curr/TA Computer H257 1995 The Amazon Trail Go on a journey down the Amazon while identifying plants and animals that live inside of the rain forests. Curr/TA Computer H257 1995 Destination: Rain Forest Create interactive stories with ideas, characters, settings, animals and many other accessories supplied by the CD.