Students are able to identify adaptations that plants have developed to deal with harsh desert conditions, as well as explain how these adaptations help to protect these plants.

What can a quarter possibly teach young learners about desert ecosystems? More than you might think. After displaying and discussing the included picture of the Arizona state quarter, the class participates in a series of...

Young scholars make observations of their own backyard. In this environment instructional activity, students keep records of the plants and animals they see in their home or school yard. Young scholars make notes of how the weather and...

Elementary schoolers study the geographic location of the Sonoran Desert. They pay close attention to the characteristics of the plants and animals found in this desert environment. The student handouts embedded in this plan are...

Students determine how animals and people adapt to the desert environment. In this desert lesson, students review vocabulary about the desert and how humans have to make changes to accommodate their environments. They listen to and...

Second graders explore the deserts around the world. They use a map and locate America on the map. Students discuss and identify the characteristics of deserts and differentiate the meanings of the word desert and dessert. Students...

Young scholars view and discuss a Discovery Channel video that compares the animals found in four different habitats. They compare and contrast the characteristics of forests, deserts, wetlands and grasslands then choose one to depict...

Students listen to a reading of the "Desert Tortoise Tale" and complete a maze that highlights the different threats the baby tortoise faces along the way. They discuss the reasons the Desert Tortoise is becoming endangered.

Learners categorize animals according to their natural biomes using biome and animal flashcards.

Third graders discuss the story "Roxaboxen." In this reading comprehension lesson, 3rd graders discover new vocabulary words, discuss the story using story mapping, and take a reading test. Students investigate safety in the desert and...

Students draw pictures of land animals in their habitats. In this animals in their habitats lesson plan, students read a book about animals and draw in their journals.

Learners compare real and make believe animal behaviors by drawing and comparing them. In this real and make believe animals lesson plan, students compare the animal behaviors, express how colors create a mood in artwork, and investigate...

The concept of a habitat being a home for animals is the main thrust of this life sciences resource. Learners complete a cut-and-paste activity using a fine worksheet that's embedded in the plan. They must place four very different...

Young biologists take a look at some of the unique ways that nocturnal animals survive in the dark. After reading a terrific student handout which is embedded in the plan, learners work together to answer questions about what they have...

Students are asked if they think a roadrunner is a bird that is a fast runner or a slow runner? They are given a copy of Roadrunner Display Sheet. Students are asked how does a roadrunner protect iteself? They are given the following...

Young scientists design a picture of a saguaro cactus that shows the cactus and some of the animals and plants that interact with it. There are many of these special relationships between plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. Your...

Young biologists identify the basic structures of a saguaro cactus. They study the functions of each of the structures, and label them on a picture of a saguaro cactus embedded in the plan. This simple, and easy-to-implement...

What better way to learn about ecosystems than by getting outside and observing them first hand? Accompanying a field trip to a local park or outdoor space, this series of collaborative activities engages children in...

Second graders read literature about Africa, examine physical characteristics of the continent, explore animals native to Africa, and discuss distance between Africa and locations in the United States.

Students examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. They look at drought from a variety of prespectives. Students first focus on the scientific definition of drought, including weather patterns, water cycles, water requirements by plants...

Students simulate the differences between animals protected by fat and those that aren't. They fill one of the mugs with shortening. Students cut a small hole, and place a thermometer in each piece of cardboard. They position the bulb of...

Students study the mammal classification and forms of them living in the United States. In this mammal study lesson, students read through orders of mammals that exist in the United States. Students also study the taxonomy of an eastern...

There's nothing quite like a glass of ice-cold, freshly squeezed lemonade. Lesson seven of this series explains how the water humans need to survive can come in many forms. Teach your class about how much water humans require every day...

Students interpret and name the vocabulary termed acted out by the mime. In this science/language arts/physical education instructional activity, students are given a set of vocabulary terms to discuss within their group. Next, students...