Rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth and they are home to millions of people, plants and animals. There are two types of rainforest; tropical and temperate.
Tropical rainforests are found near the equator, in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The enormous amount of rain, coupled with tropical heat, means that the conditions in the rainforest are humid and damp.
Temperate rainforests are found along coasts in temperate zones. They are cooler and receive much less rain than tropical ones.
Teach your children about rainforests using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Rainforest Romp is a bright and lively introduction to a fascinating habitat and a host of incredible animals. Use the book in your classroom with our teaching ideas!
- Take some inspiration from these great classroom displays to create your own:
- Some fantastic ideas, encouraging children to create a recount based on a rainforest trip using these ideas and resources.
- Try some of these rainforest themed arts and crafts in your classroom.
- Try some of these jungle classroom themed ideas.
- Try these five Amazon Rainforest animal yoga poses in your classroom.
Resources
- Explore the rainforests with our comprehensive resource pack! It includes a Powerpoint topic guide, a glossary, vocabulary labels, reference resources, display materials and much more!
- Learn about rainforests using our fact cards… a wonderful classroom activity and display resource.
- These printable posters feature images of rainforests (and other related topics) along with thought-provoking questions.
- Learn about different types of rainforests vocabulary with these free resources!
- Use these free printable banners on a classroom display board about different rainforest animals!
Rainforests Knowledge Organiser
Members of Teaching Packs can download a comprehensive knowledge organiser to accompany this topic. It includes key information that your children can use for reference and research, along with labelled diagrams, photos and a glossary of terms.
Not a member yet? Join us today!
Rainforest Facts
- The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
- A wide variety of animals live in rainforests, including birds, snakes, insects, jaguars, cougars, chameleons, turtles, frogs, and many more.
- Only around 6% of Earth’s land surface is rainforest – but about half of all animal and plant species live there!
- Tropical rainforests are divided into 4 layers called the emergent, canopy, understory and the forest floor.
- Insects make up the majority of the living creatures found in the tropical rainforest.
Videos
Rainforests 101
Learn about tropical and temperate rainforests and how they contribute to the global ecosystem in this video from National Geographic.
Running time: 3:40
Saving the Rainforest Lesson!
An introduction to the topic of deforestation in this video that was originally created for students in 5th grade.
Running time: 5:00
25 Facts about the Amazon Rainforest
Learn about the Amazon rainforest in this fascinating video!
Running time: 12:13
Books
The Great Kapok Tree
One day, a man exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree. While he sleeps, the forest’s residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of trees and how “all living things depend on one another” . . . and it works.
The Explorer
From his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer. If only he could land and look about him. But as the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice.
If I Ran the Rainforest
In this delightful book, Dr. Seuss’ famous Cat in the Hat explains all about the rainforest to young readers.
Rainforests (Explore My World)
In this charming picture book, curious kids will learn all about the majesty of the rain forest, from jungle predators to colourful treetop birds to plants that thrive in this lush landscape.
Amazon (DK Eyewitness)
Discover all there is to know about life in, on, and around the world-famous Amazon River. Learn about the river’s geography, its source and the countries through which it flows, and the stunning and diverse ecosystems it has helped create.
Where on Earth? Rainforests
Go on a journey through the world’s rainforests, from the Amazon rainforest to Costa Rica, answering questions along the way.
Links
- Here are a list of locations and apps to bring the rainforests to life with your children.
- Take a look at this great range of fun activities and ideas for learning about rainforests.
- Rainforest Alliance have a great selection of resources for teaching children at all ages.
- Download this KS1 Amazon rainforest package from ActionAid.
- Listen to the sounds of the rainforest.
- Have a sing-along in the classroom with this fun song.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
