Earth Foundation 2009-2010 Rainforest Rescue: The Brazilian Amazon

to use the internet to investigate a particular viewpoint
to communicate in different ways appropriate to the task and audience
to work together in groups, coordinating their activities
to select evidence from the internet and present it using appropriate techniques
to explore the idea of sustainable development and recognize its implications for different people, places and environments
about how conflicting demands on an environment arise
that different values and attitudes affect their views on an issue

Activities

Divide the class into four groups. Each group represents a different set of people affected by the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest: the Brazilian government, poor migrant farmers, tribal people and environmentalists.
Ask each group to research 'their' viewpoint using specific websites. Some pupils could conduct a search to find other relevant sites. Each group should work together to prepare a 10-minute presentation, which they will later make to the rest of the class, in a mock public meeting. They could also create any of the following: promotional leaflets using desktop-publishing packages, a classroom display, a questionnaire for other pupils in the school, a video presentation or report promoting their viewpoint. Each group should allocate tasks among its members, and work together to coordinate their efforts throughout this preparation stage.

Outcomes

represent a viewpoint using a variety of presentation techniques
select and use information from the internet appropriate to the viewpoint they are arguing
reach a group consensus on appropriate ways to present 'their' viewpoint
describe the economic, social and environmental aspects of development in the Amazon rainforest
explain the conflicting demands made on the Amazon rainforest
appreciate how the values and attitudes of the different groups affect their stance on the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest

Points to note

Relevant websites include:
www.brazil.org.uk (the Brazilian Embassy in London; for the viewpoints of the Brazilian government and poor farmers)
www.ran.org (the Rainforest Action Network; for the viewpoint of environmentalists)
www.greenpeace.org (Greenpeace; for the viewpoint of environmentalists)
www.survival.org.uk (Survival; for the viewpoint of tribal people)
www.socioambiental.org/website/english (the Instituto Socioambiental; for the viewpoint of tribal people)
Pupils need to work together in their groups to develop a unified approach to the task. Any material produced, eg posters, flyers, needs to carry the same message, eg a memorable catchphrase.

Sample Curriculum