PREINSTRUCTIONAL

• Students will research an animal in order to gain knowedge of the adaptations that allow it to survive in the desert.
• Students will present this information to the rest of the class in oral reports, and by contributing to the class book.
• Students will apply their knowledge of how animals are adapted to survive in the desert through a class discussion.

• Books on animals, provided by both the student and the teacher.
• Index cards
• Animal names
• Pencils
• Construction paper
• Markers and Crayons
• Binding supplies

DURING INSTRUCTION

Procedures:

1. The students, by tables of three or four, will choose an animal name on an index card. Animal names include:
   • INSECTS
     • Whip Scorpion
   • REPTILES
     • Desert Tortoise
     • Desert Kingsnake or Rattlesnake
     • Collared Lizard
   • BIRDS
     • Owl
     • Hawk
   • MAMMALS
     • Camel
     • Kangaroo Rat
2. Each group will research the animal, focusing on adaptations to the desert environment. The group will determine the roles that each will take in the research.
3. Each group will create a page depicting the animal, including a picture and describing its adaptations. The following questions will be written on the board for the students to answer:
   • Name of animal
   • Where does the animal make its home?
   • What does this animal look like?
   • What does this animal eat?
   • How is this animal adapted to living in the desert?

1. Each group will present their information and pictures to the class.
2. The class will discuss the adaptations needed to be able to survive in the desert climate.
3. The pages will be made into a class book, which will be displayed in the interest center.

POSTINSTRUCTIONAL

• Did each group research the desert animal that they chose from the index card?
• Did each group present their information to the class in the form of an oral report? Did they include pictures for the class to look at?
• Did the students contribute to the class discussion? Were they able to identify needs of the animals that live in the hot desert climate?

• The class may choose to research more desert animals on their own, adding to the book.
• If a student is having difficulty with the research, ask a member of his or her group to act as interpreter, allowing the other student to create the pictorial representation.