Curated OER
Ecosystems of the World
Learners are able to list different ecosystems and describe their environment and organisms. They have an understanding about the function and balance of the ecosystems. Students are able to tell what type of ecosystem the St. Mary's...
Curated OER
Unit Plan Template
Learners research the adaptations of desert animals and build their research skills. In this the adaptations of desert animals lesson, students describe major factors that desert animals have on their habitat. Learners explore how to...
Curated OER
Endangered Species in the Sonoran Desert
Students identify and explain some caused of endangerment and extinction for species as well as explain the effects of extinction on an ecosystem. Teachers use this lesson plan before teaching students about collecting insects or plants.
Cheetah Outreach
Habitats
Explore six different habitats—wetlands, rainforest, savannah, desert, city, and cultivated land—to determine which habitat factors (food, water, shelter, and space) are high, medium, or low in each. Learners also use maps of Africa to...
Curated OER
Comparing and Contrasting a Desert Reptile and a Rainforest Mammal
First graders compare and contrast two different type of animals while also making predictions, observations, and asking provocative questioning. In this compare and contrast lesson, 1st graders acquire knowledge about why some animals...
Curated OER
Environment: Sounds of the Natural World
Second graders describe and imitate sounds from the natural environment including rain and snow. After listing materials that could be used to make rainsticks, they create their own instruments from cardboard tubes,beans, and sand. To...
Curated OER
Desert Dynamics
Fourth graders examine the various types of plants and animals found in the deserts of Utah. In groups, they discover how the plants and animals have adapted to the harsh environment. To end the activity, they compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Investigation 1 - Wetlands, Forests & Deserts
Fourth graders examine surface terrain and how plants and animals are affected by the temperatures and precipitation that elevation and terrain creates. Then students predict what type of environment plants and animals live in.
Calculated Industries
Army Survival
Intended as a reference tool for US Army personnel, this application can be used in a classroom that is studying historic and current wars or as part of an outdoor education or wilderness survival course. Some of the subjects addressed...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
BiomeViewer
Which holds more influence, the environment over humans or humans over the environment? Young scientists explore an online interactive that addresses this discussion. They observe changes in the natural world over time and see which...
Curated OER
Plant Explorers
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
Curated OER
The Frozen Desert: Graphing and Comparing Climates
Students explore the concept of climate. They use temperature and precipitation data from their area and other regions to construct climate graphs. These graphs are used to help identify factors that influence climate.
Curated OER
Biomes: Adapting To Deserts & Other Ecosystems
Middle schoolers examine how animals must be adapted to the conditions of its environment to survive. In this biomes lesson students research desert adaptations then discuss how these animals have survived.
Curated OER
On the Road with Marco Polo: Crossing the Deserts of China
Students explore the geography of China. They describe the geography of the Taklimakan. Students discover the best route to travel from one end of the desert to the other. They investigate how some of the local inhabitants make a...
Curated OER
Adaptations
Cacti have special adaptations for living in desert heat and dryness. Polar bears have adaptations that allow them to withstand icy conditions. Humans adapt to different conditions by wearing appropriate clothing or building homes...
Curated OER
Where's the Sand?
Students identify the characteristics of deserts. In this geography lesson plan, students discuss the characteristics of a desert and label a map with the names of deserts.
Curated OER
One Grain at a Time
Students investigate deserts. In this geography activity, students create a KWL chart about deserts and research information on deserts by using reference books. Students record the characteristics of deserts and the wildlife which lives...
Curated OER
Hands On Biome-Building
Learners create a desert biome to understand the abiotic and biotic factors of that biome. In this desert biome lesson plan, students include elevation, precipitation, temperature, plants, and more.
Curated OER
Keys' Desert Queen Ranch
Pupils complete a variety of activities that go along with the study of and possible field trip to Keys' Desert Queen Ranch in Joshua Tree National Park, east of Los Angeles.
Curated OER
Plant Diversity and Distribution
Students construct a defined plot on school grounds and observed patterns in plant life. They count trees, shrubs, cacti and record on a data sheet. They compare data and generate a plant diversity overlook for their school.
Curated OER
Extreme Environments
Students examine extreme environments and the characteristics that make them. In this adaptation lesson students see how animals have adapted to these environments.
Curated OER
Diverse Environments
Students explore life forms in different environments. After exploring different biomes within their state, students research different plant and animal species within each biome. They prepare a group report on one feature of the region...
Curated OER
The Living Environment
Fourth graders make a chart of animals and plants that live in either the desert, the ocean, or the tundra. In this environment lesson plan, 4th graders work in groups to discover characteristics needed for these animals to live in that...
Curated OER
Life in Extreme Environments
Pupils compare and contrast local environments with the extreme environment of the Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Students explore and gain knowledge of the adaptations organisms use to survive extreme conditions and the diverse conditions...