Curated OER
Deserts
What is it like in the desert? Inform your class on what makes a desert, the type of climate they'll find there, and the interesting plant and animals that live in the desert environment. This is a text-rich presentation that will...
US Mint
Desert Dwellers
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 shared reading...
Curated OER
Word Search: Common Desert Plants
In this science worksheet, students locate the names of 15 desert plants in a word search puzzle. The word bank has a realistic, detailed color picture for each plant name.
Curated OER
Investigate the Sonoran Desert
Students read article in Chain Reaction about the Sonoran Desert and answer questions.
Curated OER
Those Particular Plants in Particular Regions
Fourth graders, acting as a botanist, analyze information on different plants in different regions of California. They characterize each plant for each region and answer a variety of question for each plant while doing this study.
Curated OER
Our Desert Backyard
Students make observations of their own backyard. For this environment lesson, students keep records of the plants and animals they see in their home or school yard. Students make notes of how the weather and environment changes over...
National Wildlife Federation
Pollinator's Journey: Grades 9-12
Gain a deeper understanding of migratory pollinators. After studying about pollinators and their effects on flowering plants, learners hear a story about the migration of Monarch butterflies and bats in the Sonoma Desert. Small groups...
National Park Service
Living & Non-Living Interactions
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 learning about the...
Curated OER
Deserts
Students do various activities to explain where the United States' desert region lies in relationship to the state in which they live, become familiar with plants and animals in the Sonoran desert, and make a story map of Roadrunner...
Desert Discoveries
The Sonoran Desert
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...
Curated OER
The Sonoran Desert
Little learners examine a map of the southwestern United States and identify the Sonoran Desert. They locate different cities and rivers, determining whether or not each is found within this special ecosystem. A student handout is...
Curated OER
Force of Habitat
Plants and animals of the desert are the subject of this activity. While the activities involve an exploration involving Nevada, this resource could be altered for use with any area. This detailed activity includes a list of books that...
Desert Discoveries
Sonoran Desert ABC's
Third graders make alphabet cards that depict the wide variety of life forms found in the Sonoran Desert. A terrific lesson that combines language arts, visual arts, and life science all into one wonderful package. Each of the cards has...
Curated OER
Deserts: How Do You Define One?
Second graders identify what constitutes as a desert by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read a nature website to discover facts about the desert and where they are located. Students utilize art...
Curated OER
Desert Habitat
Students examine how desert plants and animals are adapted to life in the desert. They listen to the book, "Seasons of Saguaro," conduct experiments to demonstrate plant succulence, and create and draw an animal or plant that...
Desert Discoveries
Built for the Desert
The saguaro cactus has an amazing ability to survive in a harsh environment. Learners identify the many adaptations for desert life that the saguaro employs. They look at each part of the saguaro and determine what role it plays in the...
Curated OER
Desert Adaptations
In this desert adaptations worksheet, students are given a water filled sponge which represents an animal. Students observe their "animal" for a 24 hour period and conserve the water in the sponge as best they can. They measure and...
Curated OER
Desert Water Keepers
Students experiment with models to find how plants survive in the desert environment. In this plant mechanisms activity, students make leaf models to understand how leaves conserve water. Students collect cactus in bags and observe the...
Curated OER
A Virtual Museum of the Mojave Desert
Students study deserts and the plants, animals, and people who inhabit them. In groups, they create their own stories about the inhabitants of the Mojave desert.
Curated OER
Cactus Wheel
Students explore plant biology by conducting field experiments outside of class. In this desert plant lesson, students discuss how cacti thrive in such dry climates and how dense their populations are. Students utilize action cards, a...
Curated OER
Plants, Plants, and More Plants
Students examine several types of plants. In this plant lesson, students complete activities that require them to identify types of plants, chart plant anatomy, and explain plant propagation.
Curated OER
Desert Adaptations: Water
Students experiment with methods of water conservation. In this water conservation instructional activity, students explore the importance of water for plants and animals in a desert biome.
Curated OER
Desert Views - First Impressions: Travelers on the Gila Trail
Young scholars draw animals and plants that are described to them as they read passages of people who traveled across the Gila Trail in the Southwest. In this Gila Trail lesson plan, students also write a letter describing a plant or...
Curated OER
Deserts Around the World
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...