Lesson Plan

• Identify and describe the key vegetation structures and leaf adaptations of rainforest and savanna ecosystems.
• Explain how climate, soil type, and disturbance regimes influence plant characteristics in each ecosystem.
• Compare and contrast rainforest and savanna vegetation, soils, and fire adaptations.
• Interpret a comparative table to draw conclusions about ecosystem distribution.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint/Google Slides with rainforest and savanna diagrams
• Printed handouts of the comparative table
• Worksheet for group analysis
• Markers and chart paper
• Exit‑ticket slips

Begin with a striking image of a dense rainforest and an open savanna, asking students which environment they think supports more plant species. Review prior knowledge of climate zones and ask students to predict how rainfall influences vegetation. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe and compare the key plant traits of both ecosystems.

1. Do‑Now (5'): Students list three differences they notice between the two opening images.
2. Direct Instruction (10'): Teacher presents slides on rainforest structure, leaf and root adaptations, and soil characteristics.
3. Guided Practice (10'): Small groups analyse the provided comparative table and fill a worksheet highlighting similarities and differences.
4. Interactive Demo (10'): Show short video of savanna fire regime; discuss plant fire adaptations.
5. Whole‑Class Discussion (10'): Groups share findings; teacher clarifies misconceptions and reinforces key concepts.
6. Formative Check (5'): Quick quiz using Kahoot or a show‑of‑hands on key facts.

Summarise how rainfall, temperature, soil nutrients, and fire shape vegetation in rainforests and savannas. Students complete an exit ticket stating one new fact they learned and one question they still have. Assign homework to create a labelled diagram of either ecosystem’s vegetation layers.