June 22nd: World Rainforest Day

World Rainforest Day, celebrated on June 22nd, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of rainforests and the urgent need to protect them. Rainforests are vital to our planet's health, providing oxygen, regulating the climate and serving as homes to countless species of plants and animals. As teachers, you have a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect these incredible ecosystems.

1. Why Rainforests Matter

Rainforests are often called the "lungs of the Earth" because they produce about 20% of the world's oxygen. They also play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, thus mitigating climate change. Beyond their environmental significance, rainforests are rich in biodiversity, housing millions of species, many of which are still undiscovered. Furthermore, they provide resources like medicine, food and raw materials that are indispensable to human life.

1. Activity Ideas for EYFS to KS3

Here are some engaging activities tailored to different key stages to help bring the magic of rainforests into your classroom:

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

1. Rainforest Animal Masks: Create animal masks using paper plates, paints and craft materials. This activity not only helps develop fine motor skills but also introduces children to various rainforest animals.
2. Story Time: Read books like "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry or "Slowly, Slowly, Slowly, said the Sloth" by Eric Carle. These stories can spark discussions about the importance of rainforests.

Key Stage 1 (KS1)

1. Rainforest Dioramas: Using shoeboxes, pupils can create miniature rainforest scenes with clay animals, paper trees and real leaves. This hands-on activity helps them understand the different layers of the rainforest.
2. Interactive Games: Play games such as "Rainforest Bingo" where pupils match pictures of animals and plants to their names. This reinforces vocabulary and recognition skills.

Key Stage 2 (KS2)

1. Research Projects: Assign small groups to research different aspects of the rainforest, such as climate, animals, plants and indigenous tribes. They can present their findings through posters, PowerPoint presentations or short stories.
2. Rainforest Poetry: Encourage pupils to write poems inspired by the sights and sounds of the rainforest. This can be tied to literacy lessons on imagery and descriptive language.

Key Stage 3 (KS3)

1. Debate and Discussion: Organise debates on topics like deforestation, climate change and conservation. This encourages critical thinking and public speaking skills.
2. Science Experiments: Conduct experiments to simulate the water cycle and understand how rainforests contribute to it. 

3. Linking to the National Curriculum

Engaging students with rainforest-themed activities supports various areas of the national curriculum:

• Science: Understanding habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental issues. You can use DE’s Year 4 lesson ‘Understand human impact on the environment through deforestation’ to link to the issues affecting the rainforest. 
• Geography: Learning about different climates, the significance of rainforests and human impacts on the environment.
• Literacy: Developing reading, writing, and research skills through themed stories, projects and creative writing.
• Art and Design: Exploring creativity and expression through art projects related to rainforest animals and landscapes.

4. Conclusion

World Rainforest Day is a perfect opportunity to bring global environmental issues into the classroom in an engaging and educational way. By incorporating these activities, you can help your class understand the importance of rainforests and inspire them to take action to protect our planet. 

Resources and Further Reading

• Rainforest Alliance
• World Rainforest Day Official Site
• National Geographic Kids: Rainforests