The Latin America Classroom Package

Want to create a rain forest in your classroom? First, study the different layers of the rain forest and the animal species that live in them; then try some of the following ideas:

For tree trunks: Use cardboard carpet and wrapping-paper rolls in assorted lengths.
For tree foliage and bushes: Use crepe paper, tissue paper, bulletin-board paper and construction paper.
For the forest floor: Secure tree trunks in large containers of sand or gravel. Scatter leaf cutouts and scraps of cardboard (for decaying wood).
For ferns: Thread several squares of tissue paper onto individual lengths of yarn. Crumple the tissue squares for a lacy effect.
For vines: Twist crepe paper.
For flowers: Use an assortment of tissue paper and construction paper.
For animals: Use bulletin-board paper, scissors, markers and crayons, glitter, newspaper for stuffing and a stapler to create three-dimensional rain forest creatures

Source: A Treasure Chest of Life: The Tropical Rain Forest by Theresa Ives Audet, Karen Gibson and Ann Flag.

For an environmentally friendly version, try to create your rain forest using recycled materials.

Amazon Rain Forest	The Galapagos Islands
Where to Begin	Where to Begin: Introductory Social Studies and Math Activities
Related Activities and Lessons	Links to the Best Galapagos Islands Web Sites on the Internet
Reading Fun	Spanish-English Animal Cognates
Other Fun Stuff	Additional Classroom Resources
Links and Resources