Researching deforestation in the Amazon rainforest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can make notes about deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and its links to climate change to answer an essay question.
Key learning points
- Before we write an essay, we need to research the subject, making notes that include subject-specific vocabulary.
- The Amazon rainforest is a vast and special habitat with huge biodiversity.
- The Amazon rainforest is being subject to deforestation driven by agriculture.
- This deforestation contributes to climate change because trees are carbon stores.
Keywords
Deforestation - the process of removing forested areas, usually to create farmland
Subject-specific vocabulary - vocabulary that relates to a particular subject
Climate change - a long-term change to global temperatures and weather
Greenhouse effect - the natural process where greenhouse gases trap the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, warming the Earth
Common misconception
Pupils may think that deforestation is unique to the Amazon, or that it is purely done for destructive reasons.
Emphasise that many countries (including the UK) have been heavily deforested over history; usually, this has been a result of increasing agricultural production.
Teacher tip
Use additional videos and resources to show the deforestation of the Amazon basin over time. You may wish to have a 'scribe' note down some of the key statistics as you go through the lesson to support pupils with their notes. Ensure notes are kept for future lessons.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An essay is a non-fiction text that explores __________ on an issue.
Q2.Which of these essay titles could suggest an essay that gives both sides of the argument?
Q3.A logical argument gives a __________ explanation of why something is true.
Q4.Match the forms of evidence to the examples.
Q5.Which cohesive device has been used in this sentence? 'Fossil fuels (including natural gas) are usually found deep underground.'
Q6.Which type of fronted adverbial is used in this sentence 'In addition, coal was very high in energy.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are features of the Amazon rainforest?
Q2.What is the main cause of deforestation?
Q3.Which of the products below are linked to deforestation in the Amazon?
Q4.What does the greenhouse effect do?
Q5.Tick the words needed to complete this sentence: 'Trees and plants __________ carbon from the air and __________ it so that it doesn't contribute to the greenhouse effect.'
Q6.Which of the following are ways of reducing the impact of deforestation on climate change?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Researching deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Researching deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the The Amazon Rainforest: essay writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.