Curriculum
Curriculum
Ages 11-14, Lesson 3: Rainforests and Climate Stability
View this lesson plan:
In this lesson, students explore how rainforests influence climate stability. Through engaging videos and diagrams, students learn how forests act as carbon sinks, how transpiration shapes global rainfall patterns, and what happens to Earth’s temperature and weather systems when rainforests are lost.
A hands-on labeling activity reinforces scientific concepts, while a graph-based math extension helps students visualize the climate impact of different tree species.
Educational materials
- Videos:
- Worksheet: Carbon cycle and water cycle diagrams
- Quiz: Multiple-choice on carbon sink, transpiration, climate feedback loops
- Math tie-ie: Carbon storage bar graph activity
- Art tie-in: Layers of the rainforest flap poster
- Classroom discussion questions:
- What role do rainforests play in keeping the Earth cool?
- How do forests make their own rain?
