In this hands-on KS1 survival lesson, children will use teamwork, communication skills and lots of creativity and imagination to build mini rainforest shelters from outdoor stuff found in their school grounds.
Rainforests are one of the most valuable resources on the planet. They’re home to some of the most exotic plants and wildlife; all united in a quest for survival in the most challenging environments on the planet.
Rainforest KS1 learning objectives
- Experience through role-play the rainforest environment
- Work in ‘tribes’ to create and review mini-shelters
- Practise teamwork, cooperation and communication skills
Starter activity
Write ‘rainforest’ in a circle in the middle of a whiteboard. Write four ‘Ws’ surrounding it: ‘what?’, ‘where?’, ‘why?’, and ‘who?’.
Ask students to discuss what rainforests are and where they are found in the world (use a globe or atlas). Who (or what) lives in them? Why are they so important and worth looking after? A series of rainforest images could support here.
Ask for feedback and invite students to write on the board near a ‘W’. Now read out the following scenario challenge to the class:
“You are a group of scientific explorers about to embark on a mission of discovery deep in the heart of a rainforest. But your quest is not just about exploration, it is also about survival.
“A rainforest is a challenging place and a storm is coming. What are you going to do next?”
Get the children to start thinking about what a shelter needs to have. You could kick start the class discussion by asking them what a camping trip requires and then remind them of the added challenges a rainforest might present.
Pam Horton has been working at the Eden Project for 12 years. Working with the schools education team, she designs and delivers the Eden schools programme, special projects and events for young people and their teachers. Browse more resources for World Environment Day.
