All of GEF's lessons and programs are offered at no cost. Become a member to support GEF and enjoy member only benefits! 
Professional Development
 |
GEF Institute offers affordable, online sustainability courses eligible for professional development or academic credit. Give your resume a boost! |
Sponsor a Teacher
Support educators in your community by helping them earn a Certificate in Sustainability or take an online course. Find out more about sponsorship!
Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse
The Great Kapok Tree
Lesson Description:
• Listen to gain knowledge and share information and perform a task (relating to problems facing rain forests due to harmful human behavior).
• Compare the actions of the character in the beginning, middle, and end of story.
• Explain the interdependent relationships between humans and trees.
• Listen to gain knowledge and share information and perform a task (relating to problems facing rain forests due to harmful human behavior).
• Compare the actions of the character in the beginning, middle, and end of story.
• Explain the interdependent relationships between humans and trees.
Lesson Type:
- Discussion
Sustainability Topic:
- Ecosystems
- Waste Reduction
GEF Program Category:
- Waste Reduction Challenge
Time Needed:
60 - 70 Minutes
60 - 70 Minutes
Standards Addressed:
Language Arts Standard 8: Use listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
• Benchmark # 1: Make contributions in class and group discussions.
• Benchmark # 2: Ask and respond to questions.
• Benchmark # 5: Use grade level appropriate vocabulary in speech (e.g., terms related to rain forest).
Language Arts Standard 6: Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts.
• Benchmark #3: Knows setting, main characters, main events, sequence, and problems in stories.
Science Standard 14: Understands how human actions modify the physical environment.
• Benchmark #1: Knows how people affect the environment in negative (e.g., cutting trees, burning forests) and positive (e.g., becoming stewards of environment ) ways.
Geography Standard 4: Understands the physical and human characteristics of place.
• Benchmark 2: Knows that places can be defined in terms of their predominant human and physical characteristics (e.g., rural, forest,or by types of land forms, vegetation, water bodies, climate).
Language Arts Standard 8: Use listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.
• Benchmark # 1: Make contributions in class and group discussions.
• Benchmark # 2: Ask and respond to questions.
• Benchmark # 5: Use grade level appropriate vocabulary in speech (e.g., terms related to rain forest).
Language Arts Standard 6: Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts.
• Benchmark #3: Knows setting, main characters, main events, sequence, and problems in stories.
Science Standard 14: Understands how human actions modify the physical environment.
• Benchmark #1: Knows how people affect the environment in negative (e.g., cutting trees, burning forests) and positive (e.g., becoming stewards of environment ) ways.
Geography Standard 4: Understands the physical and human characteristics of place.
• Benchmark 2: Knows that places can be defined in terms of their predominant human and physical characteristics (e.g., rural, forest,or by types of land forms, vegetation, water bodies, climate).
Materials Needed:
• A copy of “The Great Kapok Tree” by Lynne Cherry
• Sticky note paper (1 ½ x 2 inch or 3 inch square)
• World map
• Writing and drawing utensils
• “Beginning, Middle, and End” worksheet provided below
• A copy of “The Great Kapok Tree” by Lynne Cherry
• Sticky note paper (1 ½ x 2 inch or 3 inch square)
• World map
• Writing and drawing utensils
• “Beginning, Middle, and End” worksheet provided below
Submitted By:
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
School or Group:
GEF
GEF
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
