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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Conservation Cartoons

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Conservation Cartoons

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

What's In A Habitat?

For Teachers K - 2nd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Sizing Up Dinosaurs

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Here is a terrific activity in which learners compare their size to the size of actual dinosaurs. Using the magic of the overhead projector and a transparency of the outline of a dinosaur skeleton, pupils can see how big these animals...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Keepers of the Prairie

For Teachers 3rd
Young ecologists examine the case of the prairie dog, and their near extinction. They read a terrific student handout embedded in the plan, and engage in a class discussion that's based on what they read. Learners perform research on...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

The Sonoran Desert

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Nocturnal Navigators

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Amazing Arthropods

For Teachers 3rd
Arthropods are the stars of a fine science lesson. Learners look at the diversity, characteristics, adaptations, and important roles that these insects play in the Sonoran Desert environment. A terrific document called "Amazing...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Sonoran Desert Predators and Prey

For Teachers 3rd
Here is a fabulous lesson the animals found in the Sonoran Desert. Learners classify these animals as predators, prey, or both! They take a look at the many adaptations that these animals utilize to help them find food, and avoid...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Invent - A - Saurus

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders get to invent their own dinosaur! This is done by using a very clever worksheet embedded in the plan. The worksheet leads them through naming their dinosaur by having explanations of the Latin terminology that is used with...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

What's For Dinner?

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Youngsters compare the teeth of plant-eating dinosaurs with those of meat-eating dinosaurs. The concepts of herbivore vs. carnivore are also introduced. There is an excellent worksheet embedded in the plan which shows five skulls of...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Sonoran Desert ABC's

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Dinosaur Quiz

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scientists explore the world of dinosaurs. They engage in a variety of activities designed to help correct misconceptions about dinosaurs, and which help them to determine which animals are dinosaurs and which are not. There is a...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

What's the Buzz on Native Bees?

For Teachers 3rd
Young biologists describe the different types of bees that are native to the Sonoran Desert. They look at the nesting and feeding requirements of the insects, and study how they are able to pollinate many plants found in the environment....
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Desert Tortoise: Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Built for the Desert

For Teachers 3rd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Who Depends on the Saguaro?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

How Old is Old? (And, How Much is a Million?)

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Here is an interesting lesson on how old things are designed for young scientists. In it, learners compile a list of their birthdays, and the class puts them in sequential order from youngest to oldest. Then, they sequence 15 objects...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Lizard Dash!

For Teachers 3rd
Here is a terrific learning game that has pupils acting like lizards! Before the game starts, there is a class discussion on the differences between endotherms and exotherms. The main focus of the game is how each team must keep their...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Bird and Feather Features

For Teachers 3rd
Ornithology is the study of birds, and young scientists do just that with an interesting science lesson. They identify the parts of a bird, realize that birds have different types of beaks, wings, and feet, and take a close look at bird...
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Lesson Plan
Desert Discoveries

Creating a Garden Journal

For Teachers 3rd
Youngsters create science journals which are used to record observations from the school garden. The goal of this activity is to help kids tune into nature by making daily observations on the growth of the plants, and also to take note...