The first plant that we made were vines. 

Each student helped in the construction of our rainforest vines.

We read and learned about the different layers of the rainforest:  the emergent layer, the canopy, the understory, and the forest floor.  We discovered that we could not make a tree from the emergent layer or the canopy in our classroom because they are 100-200 feet tall!  We decided to make a tree from the understory layer where the trees can be 10-12 feet tall.  This turned out to be a perfect fit for our classroom because our ceiling is 10 feet tall.

Kyle and Jemison were in charge of this project.  Several friends were asked to cut out leaves while Kyle and Jemison made the trunks and roots of the tree.

Lianas are woody vines that begin life on the ground and grow up and twist around trees of the rainforest.  They do this to reach the sunlight that they need for survival.  For more information, visit:  http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/plants/lianas.html

Bella, Marinah, and Kate were in charge of this project.

Bromeliads are epiphytes, which means that they can begin growing on trees or branches without soil.  Their bowl-like shape in the center of the plant often catches rainwater and can be home to different creatures like frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, snails, and beetles.  For more information, visit this website:  http://www.srl.caltech.edu/personnel/krubal/rainforest/Edit560s6/www/plants/bromeliads.html

Jake, Mallory, Jarquavius, and Elise were in charge of this project. 

Ferns are epiphytes, like bromeliads, which means they can begin growing on trees or branches or rocks (as pictured above) without soil.  Students chose a ribbon fern from the many different types of ferns that grow in the rainforest.  We found out that the fronds of a ribbon fern could be 15 cm long.  For more information about ferns, visit this website:  http://rainforest-australia.com/Rainforest_ferns.htm

Jordan and Ryan were in charge of this project.

While researching the rafflesia, we found out that it is the largest flower in the world and that they are endangered, or rare and hard to find in the rainforest.  They also have a bad smell that attracts flies to pollinate the flower.  For more information about the rafflesia, visit this website:  http://www.lostworldarts.com/asia/rafflesia_2.htm

Zoria and Brock were in charge of this project.  Jemison helped out when someone was absent.

The Venus fly trap is a plant that can eat insects.  The two lobes of the plant have trigger hairs that tell the plant if there is prey inside of the trap.  Then it closes and the cillia on the outside of the plant serve as fingers clasping together to hold the prey inside the trap.

Savannah and Braxton were in charge of this project.