All Activities
Geography

Deforestation Simulation

Overview

Students simulate a decision about forest land and discuss trade-offs.

Learning Objective
Students understand the causes and consequences of deforestation.

Resources needed

  • Paper squares or leaves to represent trees

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Lay paper squares or leaves as a forest on the floor.
  2. 2 Assign roles: farmer, timber company, government, wildlife.
  3. 3 Each group argues for their use of the forest.
  4. 4 Remove trees one at a time as decisions are made.
  5. 5 Observe what is lost with each removal.
  6. 6 Discuss who benefits and who loses.
  7. 7 Suggest alternatives.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Introduce protected areas.
  • Add a climate change round — fewer trees means more heat.
More information

Teach deforestation, biodiversity, sustainable, trade-off.

Use a simpler two-sided debate (keep or cut).

Can students explain at least two consequences of removing the forest and one possible solution?

Use leaves from the school ground instead of paper. Discussion requires no materials.

Students often blame only one group (e.g. companies). Help them see the complexity — local people, governments, and global demand all play a role.

Strong link to sustainability, climate change, and development.

Activity details
Secondary Medium 20 minutes 5 mins prep Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Deforestation Environment