Life in the Desert

Designed for grades K-5 and to be done at home or with small groups, this interactive multi-activity mini-course introduces children to the diversity of life in the desert and the strategies different plants and animals use to conserve water. The mini-course includes a richly illustrated story-based lesson, as well as games, activities, and projects that appeal to all types of learners.

After an introductory story where the host, Sandy Saguaro, introduces desert-dwelling plants and animals, children have fun designing their very own desert animals with the included illustrations of fur, scales, feathers, and claws. Concepts are reinforced through a beautifully illustrated board game (included in the course) in which children collect various animals, plants, and water droplets. In a separate movement-based game, children take on the form of different animals and reenact a day and night in the desert. Finally, children will perform an easy at-home experiment in which they calculate and graph evaporation rates of water in different environments.

Most materials needed to complete the mini-course can be cut from the book itself (or, if preferred, downloaded and printed using an included link.). The mini-course requires only a few additional common household items to complete the activities: tape, a few coins, one die (or numbered spinner), bowl, paper, crayons or markers, glue, pencil, two identical translucent cups, water, ruler, hole punch (or paper clip), scissors, string or yarn, timer.)

Upon completing the mini-course, children will be provided with links to additional online resources and will earn new concept badges for their Science Tool Kit (included in the mini-course)- - including evaporation, conserve, dormant, crepuscular, and adaptations.