Rowdy Rain forest
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| Picture from The Great Kapok Tree |
We are learning all about the rain forest this week by reading The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. It is a beautiful book about conserving the delicate diversity of the rain forest that all can enjoy.
Rain forests are thick, green forests that receive a lot of rain and are very hot and humid.
Most rain forests in the world are in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia.
It rains more than 200 days a year in a rain forest, and it receives up to 240 inches of rain a year.
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| Picture from The Great Kapok Tree |
Rain forests are home to many different plants and animals, many of which are still undiscovered by scientists. Many species of insects, amphibians, mammals, and birds live in various rain forest habitats.
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| Picture from The Great Kapok Tree |
The rain forest has 4 layers. The Emergent Layer is the tallest and here trees can be as high as 200 feet! They form a big umbrella with their branches over the lower trees. Butterflies and birds call this layer home.
The Canopy is the next layer, and many animals live and eat here, such as monkeys and sloths.
Next is the Understory, where only small trees grow. Snakes and small mammals call this home.
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| From The Great Kapok Tree |
Finally, the Forest Floor is where moss, and small bushes grow as it is wet and dark. This is where you will find many insects.
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| Picture from The Great Kapok Tree |
The rain forest has many treasures for us to use in our daily lives. The wood from the trees are used to make furniture and houses.
Many fruits and vegetables come from the rain forest, such as guava, papaya, Brazil nuts, and tapioca. Beautiful orchids and zebra plants grow in the rain forest.
There are many oils, spices and gums we use in cooking and in the home such as: sandalwood oil, palm oil, cocoa, cardamon, chili pepper, and rubber for erasers.
Numerous Rain forest plants are used to make medicine.
Many fruits and vegetables come from the rain forest, such as guava, papaya, Brazil nuts, and tapioca. Beautiful orchids and zebra plants grow in the rain forest.
There are many oils, spices and gums we use in cooking and in the home such as: sandalwood oil, palm oil, cocoa, cardamon, chili pepper, and rubber for erasers.
Numerous Rain forest plants are used to make medicine.
It is important to protect the rain forest so that we preserve the biodiversity of its plant and animal life.
What are your favorite rain forest animals? Why?
How would you save the rain forest?
What items in your home come from the rain forest?
Have you ever been to the rain forest? What country was it in?
Have you ever been to the rain forest? What country was it in?
