Rainforests

An Integrated Science and Technolgy Teaching / Learning Unit

Talking & Listening:
Outcomes - Learning to Talk and Listen
RS3.1 Communicates effectively for a range of purposes and with a variety of audiences to express well developed, well organised ideas.
RS3.2 Interacts productively and with autonomy in pairs and groups of various sizes and composition; uses effective oral presentation skills and strategies; and listens attentively.
Outcomes - Learning About Talking and Listening
RS3.3 Discusses ways in which spoken language differs from written language and how spoken language varies according to different contexts.
RS3.4 Evaluates the organisational patterns of some more challenging spoken texts and some characteristic language features.
Indicators
Listens to and notes key ideas of information from discussions involving more than one point of view.
Listens and respondes constructively to alternative ideas, different points of view and expresses own ideas and opinions.
Recognises when an opinion is being offered as opposed to fact.
Identifies the main idea and supporting details of a spoken argument and summarises it for others.
Activities:
Group Discussions, Barrier Games, Readers Theatre, Hot Seat, Interviews, Expositions
Assessment:
Oral Presentation of exposition
Checklist

Reading: Outcomes - Learning to read:
RS3.5 Reads independently an extensive range of texts with increasing content demands and responds to themes and issues.
RS3.6 Uses a comprehensive range of skills and strategies appropriate to the type of text being read.
Outcomes - Learning About Reading:
RS3.7 Critically analysies techniques used by writers to create certain effects, to use language creatively, to position the reader in various ways and to construct different interpretations of experience.
RS3.8 Identifies the text structure of a wider ranger of more complex text types and discusses how the characteristic grammatical features work to influence readers' understanding of texts.
Indicators
Reads and interprets information texts for personal enjoyment, interest and research.
Interprets more complex maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, photographs and other graphics.
Accesses and interprets a wider range of Internet /computer texts and graphics.
Uses e-mail and Internet sources to request and receive information.
Understands more complex information reports.
Understands causal explanations.
Evaluates sustained arguments with evidence of various types.
Assessment:
Complete cloze and comprehesion exercises
Read to the class with fluency and expression.
Writing: Outcomes - Producing Texts:
WS3.9 Produces a wide range of well structured and well presented literary and factual texts for a wide variety of purposes and audiences using increasingly challenging topics, ideas, issues and written language features.
Outcomes - Grammar and Punctuation:
WS3.10 Uses knowledge of sentence structure, grammar and puntuation to edit own writing.
Outcomes - Spelling:
WS3.11 Spells most common words acurately and uses a range of strategies to spell unfamiliar words.
Outcomes - Handwriting and computer technology:
WS3.12 Produces texts in a fluent and legible style and uses computer technology to present these effectively in vaiety of ways.
Outcomes - Context and text:
WS3.13 Critically analysesown texts in terms of how well they have been wriiten, how effectively they present the subject matter and how they influence the reader.
Outcomes - Language structures and features:
WS3.14 Critically evaluates how own texts have been structured to achieve their purpose and discusses ways of using related grammatical features and conventions of written language to shape readers' and viewers' understanding of texts.
Indicators
Writes sustained discussions and expositions supported by evidence.
Writes letters to present a point of view, persuade or critise.
Discusses in writing some some pros and cons of a topical issue, attempting to relate these to one another.
Explains ways that certain words connect ideas.
Demonstrates the importance of being well informed on a topic when writing, and of doing extra research if necessary - especially if the purpose is to persuade others.
Assessment:
Writes an Exposition text
Writes an Discussion text

Literature Where the Forest Meets the Sea Jeannie Baker
Spelling RAINFORESTS
abundance botanist boundary classify delicate distinctive distribution dominant species ecosystem features habitats important leaf size millimeters national natural origins predators proportion rainforest ranger recognise species structure temperate rainforest terrarium thrive top canopy tree layers tropical rainforest
LOCATION
Amazon River Bangladesh Brazil Cambodia Daintree Gondwana Great Dividing Range Indonesia Lamington Laos latitude location Madagascar Maiala Malaysia New Guinea New South Wales northern Philippines Queensland Rondonia South America southern Sri Lanka Tamborine Tasmania Thailand Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Vietnam
CLIMATE
carbon dioxide climate cloud cover evaporation filtered light humidity micro-climate monsoon oxygen precipitation rainfall sunlight temperate tropical wind
SOIL / TOPOGAPHY
gullies nutrients sheltered topography
PLANTS
banksias beech trees Bird's nest fern eucalypts ferns Flame tree fungi germination Lilly-pilly moulds mushrooms Native tamarind orchids palms Picabeen palm plant migration Red cedar strangling fig Stringy tree toadstools Tree fern vines wattles White cedar
ANIMALS
brushtail possum bush rat creatures grey-headed fruit bat kangaroo Marsupial mouse marsupials ringtail possum spotted cuscus striped possum tiger quoll tree kangaroo
SOIL ANIMALS
ants beetles burrow earthworms flat worms leech micro-organisms millipedes mite nematodes (a worm) pill bugs protozoans slater slug soil-dwelling organisms springtails termites tunnel wood-lice worms
BIRDS
bats Boobook owl Brown thornbill Brush turkey cassowary Crimson rosella Eastern whipbird giant cassowaries Golden bowerbird Golden whistler Green catbird Grey fantail Grey strike-thrush Ground thrush King parrot lyrebird Noisy pitta Regent bowerbird Riflebird Satin bowerbird Scrub fowl Wedge-tailed eagle whip-bird White-headed pigeon Wompoo pigeon Wonga pigeon Yellow robin
REPTILES / FROGS
Carpet python Challenger's skink frogs Great barred frog Green tree snake Land mullet Leaf-tailed gecko Lesuer's frog Rainforest dragon Red-eyed frog skinks snakes Tusked frog
INSECTS / SPIDERS
butterflies cockroach cricket huntsman spider insects trap door spider
ISSUES
abandoned built burnt clear-felling cleared climatic changes damage debts environment felled floods harm logging plantations protected pulpwood recycle removal removed scarce selected logging soil erosion stripped survive swan timber tourists woodchips

Science and Technology Outcomes - Knowledge and Understandings
Activities of people change the balance of nature.
Describe and understand the social and economic implications of actions on the environment.
Outcomes - Skills
Students modify and apply their understanding in the light of their research.
Students design and make a terrarium.
Outcomes - Values and Attitudes
Work cooperatively in groups
Respect the rights and property of others
Respect different points of view.
Demonstrate confidence.
Outcomes - Assessment
In groups, design and make a terrarium

Mathemetics Number: Numeration 14-15; Addition 8-9; Subtraction 12-15; Multiplication 10-12; Division 9-12; Fractions and Decimals 6-7; Money 6-7
Space: 3D 13-15; 2D 19-25
Measurement: Volume 12-15; Mass 11-13; Area 8-10

PD Health and PE
PD: Year 6 Transition Program; Year 5 and 6 Hygiene Program; Heath: Rainforest food; PE: Daily fitness, School Sport, PSSA, Swimming, Gymnastics

Creative and Performing Arts
Rainforest puppets - Elkhorn puppet, Staghorn puppet, Leech puppet, Carpet Python puppet, Identi-book,
Drama Dramatise environmental action meeting
Music Poor Little Possum,The Rain Song, Hey Frog, The Leech, Cassowary Blues, The Epiphyte Song, Decomposition
Dance Dances for Year 6 farewell

Resources
Mastering Rainforests Machness, Brian
Saving the Forests Morrissey, David Online Activities
Rainforest Action Network
Rainforests (US)
Rainforests (US) Rainforests (UK)
World Wildlife Organization
World Wise Schools
Stage Hand Puppets Activity Page

ACROSS THE CURRICULUM PERSPECTIVES

Aboriginal Education Gender Equity Information Skills

Media Education Multicultural Education Computer Education

Links to 5/6W pages
5/6W	5/6W Work Samples	Spicy Links	Timetable

Links to other integrated units

How did the discovery of gold effect the development of Australia?

Talking & Listening: Outcomes - Learning to Talk and Listen RS3.1 Communicates effectively for a range of purposes and with a variety of audiences to express well developed, well organised ideas. RS3.2 Interacts productively and with autonomy in pairs and groups of various sizes and composition; uses effective oral presentation skills and strategies; and listens attentively. Outcomes - Learning About Talking and Listening RS3.3 Discusses ways in which spoken language differs from written language and how spoken language varies according to different contexts. RS3.4 Evaluates the organisational patterns of some more challenging spoken texts and some characteristic language features. Indicators Listens to and notes key ideas of information from discussions involving more than one point of view. Listens and respondes constructively to alternative ideas, different points of view and expresses own ideas and opinions. Recognises when an opinion is being offered as opposed to fact. Identifies the main idea and supporting details of a spoken argument and summarises it for others. Activities: Group Discussions, Barrier Games, Readers Theatre, Hot Seat, Interviews, Expositions Assessment: Oral Presentation of exposition Checklist
Reading: Outcomes - Learning to read: RS3.5 Reads independently an extensive range of texts with increasing content demands and responds to themes and issues. RS3.6 Uses a comprehensive range of skills and strategies appropriate to the type of text being read. Outcomes - Learning About Reading: RS3.7 Critically analysies techniques used by writers to create certain effects, to use language creatively, to position the reader in various ways and to construct different interpretations of experience. RS3.8 Identifies the text structure of a wider ranger of more complex text types and discusses how the characteristic grammatical features work to influence readers' understanding of texts. Indicators Reads and interprets information texts for personal enjoyment, interest and research. Interprets more complex maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, photographs and other graphics. Accesses and interprets a wider range of Internet /computer texts and graphics. Uses e-mail and Internet sources to request and receive information. Understands more complex information reports. Understands causal explanations. Evaluates sustained arguments with evidence of various types. Assessment: Complete cloze and comprehesion exercises Read to the class with fluency and expression.
Writing: Outcomes - Producing Texts: WS3.9 Produces a wide range of well structured and well presented literary and factual texts for a wide variety of purposes and audiences using increasingly challenging topics, ideas, issues and written language features. Outcomes - Grammar and Punctuation: WS3.10 Uses knowledge of sentence structure, grammar and puntuation to edit own writing. Outcomes - Spelling: WS3.11 Spells most common words acurately and uses a range of strategies to spell unfamiliar words. Outcomes - Handwriting and computer technology: WS3.12 Produces texts in a fluent and legible style and uses computer technology to present these effectively in vaiety of ways. Outcomes - Context and text: WS3.13 Critically analysesown texts in terms of how well they have been wriiten, how effectively they present the subject matter and how they influence the reader. Outcomes - Language structures and features: WS3.14 Critically evaluates how own texts have been structured to achieve their purpose and discusses ways of using related grammatical features and conventions of written language to shape readers' and viewers' understanding of texts. Indicators Writes sustained discussions and expositions supported by evidence. Writes letters to present a point of view, persuade or critise. Discusses in writing some some pros and cons of a topical issue, attempting to relate these to one another. Explains ways that certain words connect ideas. Demonstrates the importance of being well informed on a topic when writing, and of doing extra research if necessary - especially if the purpose is to persuade others. Assessment: Writes an Exposition text Writes an Discussion text
Literature Where the Forest Meets the Sea Jeannie Baker
Spelling RAINFORESTS abundance botanist boundary classify delicate distinctive distribution dominant species ecosystem features habitats important leaf size millimeters national natural origins predators proportion rainforest ranger recognise species structure temperate rainforest terrarium thrive top canopy tree layers tropical rainforest LOCATION Amazon River Bangladesh Brazil Cambodia Daintree Gondwana Great Dividing Range Indonesia Lamington Laos latitude location Madagascar Maiala Malaysia New Guinea New South Wales northern Philippines Queensland Rondonia South America southern Sri Lanka Tamborine Tasmania Thailand Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Vietnam CLIMATE carbon dioxide climate cloud cover evaporation filtered light humidity micro-climate monsoon oxygen precipitation rainfall sunlight temperate tropical wind SOIL / TOPOGAPHY gullies nutrients sheltered topography PLANTS banksias beech trees Bird's nest fern eucalypts ferns Flame tree fungi germination Lilly-pilly moulds mushrooms Native tamarind orchids palms Picabeen palm plant migration Red cedar strangling fig Stringy tree toadstools Tree fern vines wattles White cedar ANIMALS brushtail possum bush rat creatures grey-headed fruit bat kangaroo Marsupial mouse marsupials ringtail possum spotted cuscus striped possum tiger quoll tree kangaroo SOIL ANIMALS ants beetles burrow earthworms flat worms leech micro-organisms millipedes mite nematodes (a worm) pill bugs protozoans slater slug soil-dwelling organisms springtails termites tunnel wood-lice worms BIRDS bats Boobook owl Brown thornbill Brush turkey cassowary Crimson rosella Eastern whipbird giant cassowaries Golden bowerbird Golden whistler Green catbird Grey fantail Grey strike-thrush Ground thrush King parrot lyrebird Noisy pitta Regent bowerbird Riflebird Satin bowerbird Scrub fowl Wedge-tailed eagle whip-bird White-headed pigeon Wompoo pigeon Wonga pigeon Yellow robin REPTILES / FROGS Carpet python Challenger's skink frogs Great barred frog Green tree snake Land mullet Leaf-tailed gecko Lesuer's frog Rainforest dragon Red-eyed frog skinks snakes Tusked frog INSECTS / SPIDERS butterflies cockroach cricket huntsman spider insects trap door spider ISSUES abandoned built burnt clear-felling cleared climatic changes damage debts environment felled floods harm logging plantations protected pulpwood recycle removal removed scarce selected logging soil erosion stripped survive swan timber tourists woodchips
Science and Technology Outcomes - Knowledge and Understandings Activities of people change the balance of nature. Describe and understand the social and economic implications of actions on the environment. Outcomes - Skills Students modify and apply their understanding in the light of their research. Students design and make a terrarium. Outcomes - Values and Attitudes Work cooperatively in groups Respect the rights and property of others Respect different points of view. Demonstrate confidence. Outcomes - Assessment In groups, design and make a terrarium
Mathemetics Number: Numeration 14-15; Addition 8-9; Subtraction 12-15; Multiplication 10-12; Division 9-12; Fractions and Decimals 6-7; Money 6-7 Space: 3D 13-15; 2D 19-25 Measurement: Volume 12-15; Mass 11-13; Area 8-10
PD Health and PE PD: Year 6 Transition Program; Year 5 and 6 Hygiene Program; Heath: Rainforest food; PE: Daily fitness, School Sport, PSSA, Swimming, Gymnastics
	Creative and Performing Arts Rainforest puppets - Elkhorn puppet, Staghorn puppet, Leech puppet, Carpet Python puppet, Identi-book, Drama Dramatise environmental action meeting Music Poor Little Possum,The Rain Song, Hey Frog, The Leech, Cassowary Blues, The Epiphyte Song, Decomposition Dance Dances for Year 6 farewell
Resources Mastering Rainforests Machness, Brian Saving the Forests Morrissey, David	Online Activities Rainforest Action Network Rainforests (US) Rainforests (US)	Rainforests (UK) World Wildlife Organization World Wise Schools Stage Hand Puppets Activity Page

Aboriginal Education	Gender Equity	Information Skills
Media Education	Multicultural Education	Computer Education