Date: 22nd April 2024
Vanishing Rainforests [Habitats and Environments]
Dear Parents,
Over the next few weeks, Milepost 2 will be following a new IPC unit of learning with a theme that focuses on
habitats and environments, called ‘Vanishing Rainforests’.
Unit Summary:
In Vanishing Rainforests, we will be learning about how diverse, wonderful and unique our rainforests are
as well as what we need to do to ensure their survival. Did you know that rainforests once covered 14%
of our world’s surface? Now sadly they cover between 3-4% of the world. Why are they vanishing? During
the unit, you will need to be geographers, scientists including being botanists who explore the plant
world to find out the answers to critical real-life problems. If we don’t act soon it could be too late!
Explaining the Theme:
During this unit, the learners will focus on some of the following targets in different subjects such as:
In Geography we’ll be learning about:
● Locations of rainforests around the world
● Products we use that come from the rainforest
● What life is like for people who live in tropical rainforests
● Changes to the rainforests over time
● Causes of deforestation
● What we can do to save, sustain and protect the rainforests.
In Science, we’ll be learning about:
● How plants get what they need to thrive in a rainforest
● Rocks and soils
● Different plants and animals in the rainforest
● Photosynthesis and what plants do with water
● Different types of leaves
● Seed dispersal
● Animal classification
● Food chains in the rainforest
● Animal adaptations in the rainforest.
In Art we’ll be learning about:
● Using the rainforest as inspiration for prints
● Identifying and using the elements of art.
In Design, Technology and Innovation we’ll be learning about:
● How to design a mask to represent an animal
● Making a mask secure enough to wear for a dance.
In International we’ll be learning about:
● What organisations, charities and countries are doing to help sustain the rainforests
● Choices we can make to support and help sustain the rainforest.
In Music we’ll be learning about:
● Creating the atmosphere of the rainforest through sound.
In Physical Education we’ll be learning about:
● Creating a rainforest dance.
In I.C.T and Computing we’ll be learning about:
● Designing and building quizzes.
The children will also focus on Personal Values such as being adaptable, communicator, collaborator, thinker,
ethical, resilient, respectful and empathetic to develop character and a set of ways of approaching challenges.
This will help them flourish and strongly shape their attitudes and capabilities as thinkers and learners.
There will also be an opportunity through this unit to develop and demonstrate their understanding of
International Mindedness and Global Competence as learners. This will help the children to develop a Ripples
Mindset to look beyond themselves and embrace the similarities and differences in perspectives to be able to
take action to contribute positively to the world.
IPC - The Process to Facilitate Learning
We already know the interest you take in your child’s work. If you can, please discuss with your child
the work they have done as the unit progresses and let them teach you.
Encourage your child’s interest and curiosity in learning about habitats and environments by looking
at books and websites together and talking about them.
If your child has some work to research, please help them, but without actually doing the work. If you have the
chance to further their interest in the ideas of this theme please take it, but your enthusiasm and interest is most
important.
We would like to invite you all to please let us know if you have any expertise or insights into the topics that we
will be studying in this IPC unit so that you can share some of your knowledge or skills with our learners.
If you have any comments or questions about your child’s learning, please get in touch.
Thank you for your continuous support.
Kind regards,
Milepost 2 team
