ONE DAY in the DESERT by Jean Craighead George

“ONE DAY IN THE DESERT” by Jean Craighead George

By: Vicky Rumble

Classroom Sessions/Estimated Time: 5-7 Social Studies/Literature Class Session (45-50 minutes each session

Grade Level(s): Third or Fourth Grade

Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to have the students develop a better understanding of desert ecology, including destruction and renewal.

Geography Standards addressed: #4 The physical and human characteristics of places #6 How culture and experience influence people’s perception of places and regions #8 The characteristics and spatial distribution on ecosystems on Earth’s surface #10 The characteristic distribution and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaic #14 How human actions modify the physical environment #15 How physical systems affect human systems #16 The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources

Indiana Social Studies Academic Standards addressed: Standard #3 Geography: Physical Systems #3.3.5 Explain how climate affects the vegetation and animal life of a region, and describe the physical characteristics that relate to form an ecosystem.

Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: 1. Locate the Sonoran Desert on a map of the U.S. 2. Make comparisons between a desert biome and Indianapolis 3. Identify desert characteristics 4. Identify plants, animal, and people of the desert biome 5. Identify desert landforms

Student Background: This lesson will follow a study of Indianapolis and the biomes that surround us here.

Teacher Background: Knowledge of Southwest in general and desert biomes

Materials Required: The following materials are necessary to complete this lesson:  A class set of the book One Day in the Desert  A map of the USA  Venn Diagram (one per student)  Pictures of landforms found in the desert  List of desert characteristics (animals, plants and people)  A topographical map of both Indiana and the deserts of the Southwest region Procedures: 1. The class will read together in small groups, partners, or as a whole group to complete the book. 2. A topographical map of Indiana and the deserts of the southwestern states will be studies and compared. 3. States within the US that contain desert biomes will be pointed out on a map of the US. 4. Books containing pictures of desert landforms will be shared. 5. Discussion of the different plants, animals, and people of the desert will be held as a whole class including adaptations necessary for survival in a desert biome.

Assessment: 1. The students will be given a Venn Diagram and asked to compare the desert biome to Indianapolis. 2. They will make a clay sculpture of a chosen desert landform that was studies. 3. They will either choose to complete a desert diorama or do further research on a desert in another part of the world giving either a written or oral report on what they learn.

Adaptations/Extensions: Field trip to the Indianapolis Zoo desert biome Read other desert books Research the concept of why desert biomes are growing and whether this is good or bad Research and present a visual or technological project on specific desert plant and or animals

Resources:

George Craighead, Jean. One Day in the Desert, Scholastic Inc., 1983. ISBN: 0-439-09505-0

World Map

Map of the United States (Flat and Topographical)

A collection of desert books from the media center www.desertsusa.com

Communities Social Studies Book, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill