Videos

BBC Earth. (2009, May 20). Attenborough: Venus Fly Trap-BBC Earth [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUDiDAbY3F8. 

The Venus Fly Trap and the Pitcher (Trumpet) Plant are the main focus of this video. While both plants are found in the rain forest, the setting for this video is North Carolina. However, this does not impact the information that students can learn about these two rain forest plants. The video begins with the Venus Fly Trap. The viewer watches as an insect crawls into the Venus Fly Trap and gets trapped by it's leaves. From there, the viewer learns about the Pitcher Plant. Teachers should use caution with this video as some children may find certain scenes, such as when the insect is trapped by the Venus Fly Trap, to be too graphic. Also, some students may have difficulty deciphering what the narrator is saying as he has a British accent. Despite this, it is a valuable resource and teaches a lot of information about the two plants. (Video)

Redfern Natural History Productions. (2016, Dec 19). Biggest flower in the world: Rafflesia Arnoldii [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGRujABwuQ.

This video takes the viewer to Indonesia, where we are searching for the biggest flower in the world-the Rafflesia Arnoldii. The video begins with the host navigating through the rain forest. The viewer is exposed to what an actual rain forest looks and sounds like. We see the forest floor and waterfalls, and hear the sounds of rushing water. The Rafflesia Arnoldii is an enormous flower and can only be found in tropical rain forests. The Rafflesia looks amazing in photographs in books, but the video shows just how incredulous the flower is in real life. The host narrates as the camera zooms in on the various features of the flower. The different parts of the flower are discussed, as is the plant's putrid smell. Other interesting facts include it's pollination, life span, and parasitic properties. At the end of the video, the viewer gets to see the massive bud of a Rafflessia that is about to bloom. (Video)

Rose, L. (2013, May 1). Plants in the rainforest: School project [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKEPvcxnEck.

Plants in the rainforest: School project informs the watcher about the different layers of the rain forest. The video begins with Tilly the Toucan leading the viewer to the forest floor. Here, Tilly teaches about fungus and moss. The video makes connections to the real world by discussing how you may find fungus in your own kitchen. From the forest floor, the other layers are introduced and many plant species are mentioned. Beautiful photographs are used throughout the video which help to capture young learners' attention. One limitation is that the plants are not described in depth.  There are also some parts of the video in which the sound could be clearer. Overall, the video is informative and a good starting point to learn about tropical rain forest plants.  (Video)

SNAkids. (2008, Dec 17). How chocolate is made [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiMjr3Rwdjs.

Take a trip to a tropical rain forest and learn how chocolate is made from the cacao tree. This video is hosted by a young boy named Michael. Michael leads the video explaining what cacao is and how it is pollinated by an insect called a midge. From there he shows the cacao bud and discusses it's size and colors. This video is a good resource to learn about the cacao tree and to learn how chocolate and chocolate bars are made by indigenous people. Michael also teaches the history of chocolate back to Aztec and Mayan times. There are many interesting facts embedded within the video, such as how hot chocolate used to be known as, “the drink of the gods.” The video will hook elementary students in because it is narrated by an elementary aged boy, and he narrates how chocolate is made step by step in a kid friendly fashion. (Video)

 

Super10List. (2016, Dec 2). 10 Rainforest plants in the world [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NJBNct5arA&t=4s.

This three minute video showcases ten tropical rain forest plants from around the world. It starts with the Victoria Amazonica, which resembles a giant lily pad. From there, the viewer learns about Orchidaceae, which can be used to make perfume. The other plants shown are Cacao, Heliconia, Amorphophallus Titanum, Pitcher Plant, Rubber Tree, Dionaea Muscipula, Rafflesia arnoldii, and Bougainvillea. Each plant is showcased with a photograph and interesting facts. For example, the Amorphophallus Titanum can be over 3 meters tall! Each plant's measurements are listed, however they are usually in metric rather than standard units. There is no narrator-all information must be read, which may be a problem for struggling readers. Overall, this is a helpful video which features plants that are not mentioned in many other resources for children. It is recommended for students reading on a third grade level or higher. (Video)

 

Turner, S. (2014, Sep 11). Tropical rainforest adaptations. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu6p3kdfqwg&t=40s.

Part of the New York City Science Scope & Sequence Standards (3-LS3-2) requires third grade students to understand and learn about plant adaptations. This video satisfies the standards as well as teaches about different rain forest plants. The first plants discussed are lianas, or vines. The narrator then transitions into epiphtyes, which students may have read about in books. Then, we learn about buttress roots. The camera pans over all parts of the roots so that viewers can really get a close look. From there we learn about how some plants adapt by having bright flowers, which attract insects. An extra bonus for students is that the narrator briefly describes a few rain forest animals at the end of the video. One limitation of the video is that sometimes the narrator is not clear when explaining how the plant adapts and the viewer must use inferencing skills. (Video)