Features of the Amazon rainforest
Lesson details
Learning outcome
You can use geographical and scientific vocabulary to describe key features of the rainforest.
Key learning points
- The rainforest is a type of environment or biome, with a distinctive climate and ecosystem.
- The rainforest has four very different layers: forest floor, understory, canopy and emergent.
- The rainforest is a very important ecosystem and provides a habitat for millions of plant and animals, including humans.
- Different sources of information can be used to investigate the location and features of rainforests.
Keywords
Tropical rainforest - Tropical rainforests are areas of dense forest found close to the Equator where it is warm and there are high levels of rainfall.
Climate - Climate is an average of weather conditions (e.g. rain, sun, wind) in a place taken over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).
Biodiversity - Biodiversity means all the living things in an ecosystem or area.
Common misconception
Pupils think that our knowledge about the Amazon rainforest comes only from research.
Point out that Indigenous peoples have been living in the rainforest for thousands of years and have a lot of knowledge about it.
Teacher tip
To support learning and discussion during this lesson, teachers may wish to source and share a video clip showing a virtual tour of the Amazon rainforest.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select 2 answers. The Amazon rainforest is…
Q2.From the UK, which ocean would you have to travel over to get to the Amazon rainforest? Select 1 answer.
Q3.Select 2 answers. The Amazon rainforest is located in...
Q4.How many times would the area of the UK fit into the Amazon rainforest?
Q5.What is biodiversity? Select 1 answer.
Q6.Select 1 answer. The particular environment where species live is called their...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the climate of the Amazon rainforest like? Select 2 answers.
Q2.Put the rainforest layers in order from top to bottom.
Q3.Which of the following would not be useful for a trip to the Amazon rainforest? Select 2 answers.
Q4.For how long have people been living in the Amazon rainforest?
Q5.Match the rainforest layer with the correct description.
made up of the very tallest trees in the rainforest
most biodiverse layer of the rainforest
made up of smaller trees and shrubs
where most dead rainforest plants and animals decompose
Q6.Match the keywords with the correct definitions.
a natural environment and all of the living things in it
the particular place where species live
the variety of living things in a particular area
region with similar climate, landscapes, plants and animals
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Features of the Amazon rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Features of 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 geography lessons from the South America: why does the Amazon matter? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.