What Lives in the Desert and Who Occupies the Cactus Hotel?
In this class, students will explore the desert habitat and the Saguaro cactus, as well as the various animals that call this cactus their home (The Cactus Hotel). Learners will engage in many fun and creative activities during this class.
Debbie Bakman
Average rating:
4.6
Number of reviews:(18)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Unfinished Work and ProjectsCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 2 - 4
PLEASE PRINT OUT MATERIALS IN FILES PRIOR TO COMING TO CLASS! In this class, students will explore the desert habitat through literature, social studies, and science. We will watch and listen to three books on Youtube about the desert habitat and how the animals and plants are interdependent. They will participate in engaging activities that will expand their understanding of desert life.
Learning Goals
Students will learn about what animals and plants that live in the Sonoran Desert, and how they interact together to survive.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with State-Specific Standards5 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
A Walk in the Desert
My lesson is about exploring the Sonoran Desert habitat. Students will be introduced to some vocabulary terms used in the book " A Walk in the Desert" by Carolyn Arnold. After listening to this story on Youtube, learners will create a pamphlet showing the different types of plants and animals that live in this desert, a map of where the Sonoran Desert is, the climate of this desert, and some interesting facts they learned. Homework: Create a desert scene on front cover of their spiral. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Desert Giant
Students will learn about the world of the Saguaro Cactus, also known as the Desert Giant. Students will be introduced to vocabulary terms used in the book "
Desert Giant, The World of the Saguaro Cactus" by Barbara Bash. After listening to the story on Youtube, learners will identify each part of the Saguaro Cactus and its function, and do an activity with facts vs. non-facts about this cactus. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Cactus Hotel
My lesson is about learning the life cycle of the Saguaro Cactus and what and why animals live in this cactus. Students will be introduced to vocabulary terms used in the book "Cactus Hotel" by Brenda Z. Guiberson. After listening to the story on Youtube, learners will make an accordion life cycle project of the Saguaro Cactus. Homework: They will create a cactus hotel at home with help from an adult. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Animals in the Desert
During this lesson, students will pick their favorite desert animal, research it, and fill in an information sheet. I will introduce how to write an animal riddle. Homework: They will write the riddle at home to share during the next meeting. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students will need help from an adult to help make the windows cutouts on their cactus hotel.
Supply List
Students will need a spiral notebook, drawing paper, 1 piece of white construction paper and 1 piece of green construction paper, pencils, colored pencils, glue, scissors, a black sharpie, and a smile. Parents will need an exacto knife for the cactus hotel project.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Youtube video read aloud "A Walk in the Desert" by Jade Hinnen
Youtube video read aloud " Desert Giant The World of the Saguaro Cactus" by AR Collection Hidalgo Public Library
Youtube video read aloud " The Cactus Hotel" by Dawn Lopez-Garanzuay
Joined November, 2017
4.6
18reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
California Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
I am a credentialed/licensed 1st-5th grade elementary school teacher with 34+ years experience teaching children in both public and homeschool environments. Teaching the desert habitat was part of the curriculum, and using the books Cactus Hotel and Desert Giant was two of the stories I used use to engage my students. They loved designing their own cactus hotel and researching a desert animal.Reviews
Live Group Course
$19
weekly1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-9
3-10 learners per class
