Forest - its structure and life

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful world of forests!

People depend on forests.

We need them for our survival, from the oxygen we breathe to the wood we use.

They provide home for animals and open space for humans.

We have to protect them for the next generations. 

This lesson will help you learn about forests:

• What plants and animals can you find in them?
• What all of the plants and animals need there?
• What is a food chain?
• Which layers are there in the forests?
• What does usually happen during four seasons?

What is the best thing?

It will give you a chance to try out what have you learnt so far!

Enjoy your lesson about forests!

Task

During this web quest, you will learn about forests.

You will brainstorm the words related to the topic.

You will read the text related to the topic.

You will watch a video about trees.

You will do exercises to revise what information you have learnt.

Finally, you will make a video about forests. You will observe a certain forest near your home how it changes through the seasons. It will be a long term project and you can use your results on Art and Geography lessons.

Do not worry, you have plenty of time. We have to wait for all of the seasons!

Process

Step 1

In your groups brainstorm as many words connected to the topic as possible.

One student of the group is going to read the words aloud.

Then create a wordart on your mobiles using the words from brainstorming.

Step 2

Read this text:

Forests – its structure and life

The forest community consists of bacteria, fungi, plants and animals that live in the forest. They have adapted (especially plants) to the factors of inanimate nature - light, water, temperature, air and soil in the forest. Living and inanimate natural products are interconnected. Plants depend on soil, water, light, temperature, and animals depend on plants. Herbivores eat plants and they are food for carnivores and omnivores, so carnivores also depend on plants. Organisms form food chains.

Example of food chain:

Parts of the trees:

crown - leaves, twig, branch

trunk

root - taproot, lateral root, root hairs

The forest changes through the year. It has to do with the amount of light and temperature.

Spring: Leaves are sprouting, flowers are appearing, reproduction, plenty of water and heat ...

Summer: growing of plants and young animals, flowering of some plants, fruit ripening ...

Autumn: fruit ripening, stockpiling for winter, preparing for winter ...

Winter: experiencing unfavourable conditions, resting…

Forest layers

Step 3

Watch a video.

Pay attention, there are some questions in it, we will answer them altogether.

Step 4

We have been learning so far, now it is time to practice your knowledge. Do not be afraid of the next exercises, they will help you to improve your knowledge and language as well. 

Step 5

This will be the last thing to do on the lesson. Let´s play Millionaire! 

Step 6

Make a video. It will cover all of the four seasons, so it will be a long term project. You will take photos of a certain forest or at least of one tree through the seasons. You will catch how the forest or the tree will change. Do not be afraid if you need any help I will help you. You will learn on your ICT lesson how to edit films but I am sure many of you already know it. The film you will make can be used on your Art, English and Geography as well.

Enjoy your work!

Evaluation

Conclusion 

Now you had a chance to learn more about forest, its structure and life in it. You will remember new vocabulary. You will be able to understand the relations in the forest. You will be able to apply your knowledge in other subjects. You will be able to analyse what do animals and plants need for their living. You will be able to evaluate your own knowledge in the game. You will be able to create a video. 

Remember: ´Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.´ Marie Curie