SURVIVORS   

OF THE DESERT

Grade 3

By Kathleen Paquette
Library Media Specialist
Wolcott Elementary School
West Hartford, CT

Introduction |  Task |  The Process|  Resources Evaluation

Introduction

    Survival in the desert can be challenging!  There is often a lack of water, the daytime temperatures are exceptionally hot, and the nighttime temperatures can be bitter cold.  Usually a desert is thought of as a hot, dry environment with rolling sand dunes, lacking in plants and animals.  That is not true, however!  Deserts are the habitat for a great number of living organisms. The plants and animals that exist in such a setting must learn to adapt to the extreme conditions there, or they will not survive.

The Task

    Jeff Probst, host of the CBS series, Survivor, has begun exploration for the next series production of this show.  He is considering a new location to be in a remote part of a desert in the southwest or far west region of the United States.  He has called us, requesting help in his important research.  He needs to find out what types of animals and plants exist within these desert regions and background knowledge about them.  He also wants to know if any of these organisms are dangerous or helpful to human beings.  

The Process 

1.  Research your plant or animal using books, magazines, websites, CD-ROMs, and encyclopedias.  Choose an animal or plant to research from your list of Desert Animals and Plants.

2. Check out any of the websites that might have information on your topic listed in the Resources area listed below.

3.  Complete your note taking worksheet as you read about your desert animal (animal note taking sheet) or desert plant (plant note taking sheet).

4.  After taking your notes make certain to complete the works cited work sheet telling where you found your information.

5.  When you have finished taking notes, you will write a rough draft about your animal or plant.  After your teacher has read your paper, you will be given approval to write the final copy.

Resources

There are many books and magazines located in your school library on desert animals and plants to help you research. 

To supplement your research there are websites also.  Go to the websites listed below to help you find out more information.

Desert Animal and Plant Sites
 

http://www.ontheline.org.uk/explore/nature/deserts/animals.htm

http://www.nps.gov/moja/mojaan.htm

http://www.desertusa.com/animal.html

http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/desert/animals/index.htm

http://www.desertmuseum.org/

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/coned/outdr4.html (desert pupfish)

http://ifw2irm2.irm1.r2.fws.gov/fishery/species/pupfish.htm (desert pupfish)

http://www.livingdesert.org/sgjavelina.html (desert peccary)

http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/(desert tortoise)

http://www.tortoise.org/general/descare.html (Desert tortoise)

http://www.arthur.k12.il.us/arthurgs/desanim.htm (animals only)

http://www.allaboutnature.com/biomes/desert/desert.shtml (animals only)

http://ag.arizona.edu/cochise/psc/barrel_cactus.htm   (Barrel cactus)

http://www.scenicdrive.org/pdbarrel.htm  (Barrel cactus)

http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/june/papr/barrelcactus.html  (Barrel cactus)

http://www.desertusa.com/july96/du_saguaro.html  (Saguaro cactus)

http://www.desertusa.com/magoct97/oct_pa/du_prkpear.html  (Prickly pear cactus)

http://www.desertusa.com/mar97/du_fishcactus.html  (Fish cactus)

http://www.nps.gov/moja/mojaanjt.htm   (Joshua Tree)

Evaluation
    
      Your project will be graded on the following items:

• Using your time well in the library media center 

• Accurate and complete note taking

• A well written paper

• The completion of your works cited work sheet