Google Expeditions

Geography | Ages 11-14, Ages 14-16

  1. 1. Introduction to Biomes
  2. 2. Tundra and Taiga biomes
  3. 3. Tropical Rainforests and Temperate Forests
  4. 4. Savannah and Desert
  5. 5. Angel Falls
  6. 6. Environmental Change in Borneo
  7. 7. Wildlife Conservation
  8. 8. Plate Tectonics and Mount Everest
  9. 9. Farming in Tanzania
  10. 10. Reforestation in the Amazon

Reforestation in the Amazon

Part of:

Google Expeditions
Lesson overview

In this lesson students will understand what is meant by deforestation and reforestation and discover what is happening in Juma. Students will then debate who holds responsibility for the conservation of the Amazon rainforest.

Learning outcomes
  • Define deforestation and reforestation
  • Locate Rio Mariepaua and the Juma Reserve
  • Describe the issues with deforestation
  • Explain the project and list its benefits and challenges

Expedition Prep Checklist

Download the Google Expeditions App on all devices & find select the expedition Climate Change – Deforestation in Brazil.

Explore the expedition and locate points of interest: Rivers, The Juma Reserve.

Review the video content in the Lesson resources section to update your knowledge and develop some teaching ideas.

Lesson steps
  1. Introduction (10 mins)
    Guide student research with the following questions: What is a rainforest? Why are rainforests important? How can we protect rainforests? Why is deforestation taking place? What are the issues with deforestation?
    Students use the map Student Sheet to create a map of the Amazon Rainforest showing the Rio Mariepaua's route and the boundaries of the Juma reserve.
  2. Expedition (20 mins)
    Lead the expedition encouraging students to immerse themselves in the picture. Pose the following questions: How would it feel to be in the boat speeding down the river? Where are you coming from and where are you going? Would you drink the water? Would you swim in the water? If you climbed the bank what do you think you would see? What would the people you meet tell you about their lives?
    Students work in pairs to develop questions for an interview with a resident in the Zuma reserve (see Interview Structure Student Sheet).
  3. Activity (30 mins)
    Lead a discussion around the following questions: What should the Brazilian Government be doing to stop deforestation? Are the people who live in the rainforest to blame for deforestation? What responsibility do we have for deforestation of the Amazon?
    Students work in groups of four to discuss the questions, research online, and produce answers to be shared with the class.
    Students work in groups of two. One plays the role of an interviewer and one plays the role of a resident in the Juma reserve.
  4. Extension

    Students imagine they are a Biologist looking for a project that is similar to the Juma reserve on another continent, compare the two (list the similarities and differences). Students imagine they are in the boat in the image.
    Write 200 words describing the scene and what it feels like to be there and your hopes for the Juma reserve.