DESERT SANDS
 
 

Grade: Levels 3rd and 4th

Subjects:  Social Studies and Science

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will identify the major deserts of the world using an internet site or electronic atlas.
• The students will find the average temperature of the major deserts of the world.
• The students will make a sand painting of a desert.

Materials:

• paper
• pencil
• worksheet, "Deserts of the World"
• construction paper
• 1-12 oz. package butterscotch chips
• peanut butter
• food coloring
• 1-6oz.can chow mien noodles
• waxed paper
• pan
• measuring cups and spoons
• spoons
• hot plate
• sand
• glue
• glass jars with lids

• Internet assessable computer
• World Book Electronic Atlas

 Teacher Notes:
 The Internet sites suggested for this activity are listed below:

•  www.livingdesert.org/deserts/woelddes.htm
• http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001785.html

1. Alejandro' Gift by Richard E. Albert
2. One Small Square by Donald M. Silver
3. Watching Desert Wildlife by Caroline Arnold
4. The Desert Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta
5. Discover My World by Ron Hirschi

1. Give students a list of appropriate Internet sites where information on the deserts and desert maps are available.
2. Have students use the Internet or the Electronic Atlas to identify locations of the various deserts.
3. When students have determined a good site, then the teacher will provide the worksheet titled,
4. "Deserts of the World."
5. The students will complete the worksheet and label the different deserts of the world.

• Crunchy Cactus-Have the students make this delightful snack to go along with your desert unit.

Directions

1. Melt chips over low heat.
2. Stir in peanut butter and green food color
3. Add Chow Mien and stir until coated
4. Remove from heat and cool
5. Put on wax paper
6. Have student's form into cactus shape
7. Let them harden and enjoy

• Mastery of the Worksheet-Deserts of the World
• Performance on locating Internet sites

• The students will color sand using several drops of food coloring.  Place the sand and food coloring in a glass jar.
• Shake to mix the sand and food coloring
• Spread the damp sand on a piece of newspaper to dry.
• Have student draw a picture of a desert scene
• Spread glue onto the picture and sprinkle the sand on top.
• Fill in the entire picture with sand.
• When sand is dry, tap off the excess sand.

Display in the room

Modification:
Students can work on the sand painting as a group instead of each individual child making a painting.

Enrichment Activities:

• Learn about all the desert animals and how they're designed for life in the desert.  Such as, the camels long eyelashes, broad feet, and hump for storing fat.
• Have the students create a make believe animal and create a chart listing all of the attributes.
• Write a story about the animal you have created and use it for a bulletin board display.
Evaluation/Assessment
• Completion of activities
• Originality of product and creativity
West Virginia Goals and Objectives:

Social Studies

•  Geography 3.9,3.0,3.34,4.28
•  Study Skills 3.46, 4.43
•  Computer/Technology 3.53, 4.51
Science
•  Scientific Processes 3.21
•  Science Themes 3.73
•  Nature of Science 4.6
•  Scientific Attitudes 4.25


National Standards

References:

1. Internet Sites listed under teachers notes.
2. World Book Electronic Atlas
3. Cookbooks for children
4. Windows to the World by Nancy Everix
5. Nature Scope, Discovering Deserts,National Wildlife Federation
Created By:
Sandi Basagic
Cindy Keeling
Jean Underwood

Jayenne Elementary

Lesson 1	Lesson 2	Lesson 3	Lesson 4	Lesson 5	Lesson 6