The Desert Blooms!

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This activity attempts to clear up the common misconception that deserts are always hot, totally dry, and uninhabitable. Learners listen to poetry and use picture books and other resources to discover that the desert is actually full of life! Learners develop group and individual poems. This activity is featured on pp.27-29 of the "One With the Earth: Native Americans and the Natural World" multidisciplinary unit of study for kindergarten through third grade.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • poster paper
  • construction paper
  • crayons
  • outline map of North America (see page 11- Materials)
  • Desert Song or When the Rain Sings by Native American children (children's books of poems)
  • reference books, magazines, picture books, storybooks and electric media to gather information
  • index cards

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Processes
      • Weather and Climate
    • Earth Structure
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Biodiversity

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Literature
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Native American

    • Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis,