Title: What are tropical rainforests? Date:10/01/13. Lesson objectives ~  To introduce the structure of the rainforest.  To improve our literacy skills by learning key words.

Let’s play word bingo! Choose 4 words from the list below and write them on your handout. Leaves with drip tips Lianas Straight branchless trunks Tall fast growing trees Layer of Humus Buttress roots Canopy Dark and Damp Dense undergrowth Emergent

FeatureLabel on diagram Reason Buttress roots These are needed to stop tall trees from toppling over. Canopy This layer has all the plants and animals living in it. Dark and Damp It is very dark because the sun can, not get through the intense vegetation. Dense undergrowth Is found in places where rivers flow or trees have fallen and undergrowth has grown. Emergent This is a tall tree, up to forty meters tall living above the canopy layer. Leaves with drip tips Leaves have drip tips so that the rainwater can fall straight off the leaves. Lianas These have adapted by looping around tall trees so that they can reach the sunlight. Straight branchless trunks Trees don’t have branches because branches waste the trees energy and all energy is needed to grow tall. Tall fast growing trees Trees grow tall and fast to compete for sunlight. Layer of Humus This forms quickly because of the damp and hot conditions.

FeatureLabel on diagram Reason Buttress rootsH These are needed to stop tall trees from toppling over. CanopyC This layer has all the plants and animals living in it. Dark and DampI It is very dark because the sun can, not get through the intense vegetation. Dense undergrowthG Is found in places where rivers flow or trees have fallen and undergrowth has grown. EmergentA This is a tall tree, up to forty meters tall living above the canopy layer. Leaves with drip tipsD Leaves have drip tips so that the rainwater can fall straight off the leaves. LianasE These have adapted by looping around tall trees so that they can reach the sunlight. Straight branchless trunks F Trees don’t have branches because branches waste the trees energy and all energy is needed to grow tall. Tall fast growing treesB Trees grow tall and fast to compete for sunlight. Layer of HumusJ This forms quickly because of the damp and hot conditions.

Your turn… Complete task 1 on the worksheet. Complete the table by filling in all the features and labels with reasons in the table. Extension task ~ draw on lines to your diagram to show the different layers ~ structure of the rainforest! Answers to follow...