Ask a Biologist
Desert Tortoise
The desert tortoise is a protected species, and it's population in some areas, such as Joshua Tree State Park in California, has been rapidly declining over the years. Invite your young biologists to study the Desert Tortoise with this...
Desert Discoveries
Desert Tortoise: Fact or Fiction?
Here is a good game that will determine which team knows the most about the Sonoran Desert tortoise. There are 16 questions posed, and the answers are printed in bold for the benefit of the teacher. Question # 16 reads, "Desert tortoise...
Curated OER
Desert Tortoise Tale
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.
Curated OER
Where Are the Bugs?
Students trap, collect and identify arthropods in a newly created desert tortoise preserve area over a period of one school year. They determine the rate at which various arthropods take up residence in the newly landscaped area. Data is...
Curated OER
The Gopher Tortoise
Can you believe the gopher tortoise was around when the dinosaurs were walking the Earth. Learn all about this creature that is one of Florida's most popular reptiles. Hands-on-activities and a glossary full of scientific terms make this...
Curated OER
Desert Tortoise Adaptations
Learners observe the Desert Tortoise in its natural surroundings. In this adaptations lesson, students study and take pictures of an animal in its habitat, then design a PowerPoint which addresses adaptations, biodiversity, and threats...
Curated OER
Sonoran Desert
In this Sonoran Desert worksheet, learners read and analyze a letter that Jeremy wrote to his grandmother and then complete the picture that follows using information about the desert they learned from the letter.
Curated OER
Personification
Fifth graders read opening pargraphs in their books and discuss with their peers the meaning of personification. They then identify three instances in the poem "Desert Tortoise" of similarities between humans and animals citing...
Curated OER
Turtle Adaptations
Pupils identify structural adaptations of different types of turtles, and compare and contrast adaptations of painted turtles, sea turtles, and desert tortoises using a chart.
Desert Discoveries
What's In A Habitat?
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...
Desert Discoveries
Conservation Cartoons
Learners read and create cartoons that are based on endangered and threatened species. The lesson is packed with terrific student handouts, including some very good cartoons that are based on conservation and animal issues. The...
Desert Discoveries
Conservation Cartoons
Third graders read and create cartoons about endangered and threatened species of plants. Pupils are split up into groups. They each consider a conservation cartoon and attempt to decipher its meaning. They must decide if they agree or...
Curated OER
Let's Go to the Zoo!
Make going to the zoo a great learning experience for your students with these engaging lesson plans.
California Academy of Science
Poetic Reflections
Poetry is a wonderful way to explore language, express topical understanding, and incite creative thinking. After a trip to the local natural history museum (or zoo), learners write an acrostic or a cinquain poem describing one of their...
Curated OER
Creatures of the Grand Canyon
In this word search puzzle worksheet, students find and circle all of the wildlife hidden in a word search puzzle. Students also classify the animals into groups of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, or amphibians.
Curated OER
What Am I?
In this pronoun worksheet, 2nd graders focus on the capitalization and usage of the word "I." Students recopy 9 sentences on the lines provided making the necessary corrections.
Curated OER
Hunt the Fact Monster Hunt #26
In this internet research instructional activity, students use the Fact Monster search engine to find the answers to ten unrelated questions.
Curated OER
Commas in a Series
In this adding commas worksheet, students add commas after each item except the last one in a series of three or more items. Students add commas in five sentences.