The jungle consists of three habitats: the ground-level forest floor, the mid-level understory and the dense canopy at the top. Divide the students into three groups and assign each group a forest layer to research. Measure the length of the hallway and give each group that length of colored butcher paper. Provide scissors, construction paper, glue and markers; have each group create their assigned layer on the butcher paper. Attach each finished layer to the hallway walls.
Assign each group a new layer. Bring in the mobile computer lab and have websites posted where students can go to learn more about the animals that inhabit their jungle layer. Provide construction paper, scissors, glue and markers; ask students create some of the animals found in their assigned habitat. Involve the art specialist to help students make three-dimensional animal sculptures during art class using recycled materials such as paper towel tubes, pipe cleaners and fabric scraps. When the animals are finished, add them to the appropriate jungle layer in the hallway.
Assign each student an animal to research further, or let them choose an animal from a hat. Have students write a short research report about their animal; a class trip to the school library will provide students with books about their animal. Glue the final reports to colored construction paper backgrounds and laminate. Attach the reports to the jungle next to the animals they describe.
Assign each student a specific species of plant found in the jungle. Have students research their plant on the Internet and write a short descriptive paragraph about it. Provide students with construction paper, scissors, glue and markers, and ask them to make a representation of their plant. Give students short lengths of string. Have them glue one end of string to each part of the plant and attach the other end of the string to a card that labels the part of the plant. Attach each labeled plant to its appropriate jungle layer.