The goal of this guide is to address a major environmental dilemma: worldwide habitat destruction and the disappearance of species. This guide is one of six that are included in the Habitat Ecology Learning Program (HELP), a holistic life science curriculum that involves students in an in-depth study of ecology. HELP includes six teaching guides and focuses on five habitats: rain forests, temperate forests, deserts, grasslands, and wetlands. The teaching guide contains informative essays on relevant issues, specific background information on plants and animals, detailed lesson plans, a scope and sequence chart for the lessons, and answers to student questions. Most lessons in the guide involve students in hands-on science activities, using calculators for data collection and analysis. These activities develop written and oral communication skills. Student handouts that may be copied are included. The units of study in this guide focus on the following: (1) the nature of a rain forest; (2) physical adaptations of rain forest plants and animals; (3) the interdependence of rain forest plants and animals; (4) the survival and coexistence of rain forest peoples with local wildlife; (5) utilization of Brazil nuts; (6) an exploration of field biology; (7) local issues affecting the rain forest; and (8) the work of field biologists. (DDR)