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 writer and oral communication skills. Student handouts that may be copied are included. The units of study included in this guide are: (1) What is a Temperate Forest?; (2) Making It through the Winter; (3) Life in the Smokies; (4) Raindrops Are Changing; (5) Forests of Yesterday and Today; and (6) Temperate Troubles. (DDR)