The Great Kapok Tree Interdisciplinary Literacy Unit

Description

Students learn vocabulary, sequence events, organize facts, write persuasive pieces, and complete a mini research project in this unit. Learn about the rainforest and endangered species, too! Great for Earth Day.

The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynn Cherry, is a beautiful story about life in the rainforest and the importance of conserving this resource. The following materials are part of this interdisciplinary unit to help students learn about the rainforest and appreciate the story and its message.

15 word wall words

Event cards for predicting, sequencing, and retelling (in color and black-and-white)

Graphic organizer for recording the animals’ reasons

Four open-ended question sheet

Short rainforest information article

Rainforest sketch sheet: visualize the rainforest

Rainforest Animals Jigsaw

– directions

– four short articles

– graphic organizer to record research

– minibook product

Persuasive writing piece

– graphic organizer: pros and cons

– planner to organizer persuasive piece

– publishing paper

Project Idea: Reader’s Theater

– directions

– voice cards for intonation and expression

– bulletin board letters:

“The Great Kapok Tree” and “Earth Day”