Southwest Children's  Literature

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Watching Desert Wildlife

In the classroom/library:

Approximate time necessary: 45 minutes

Goals:
· For students to recognize animals that are typical of the southwest
· For students to understand what the hazards of the desert are
· For students to respect and build an appreciation for nature and wildlife

Objectives:
· Students will participate in the read aloud
· Students will pick an animal to draw and describe three aspects of it
· Students will use their illustration to retell to the class about the animal
· Optional: A field trip to the Arizona Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona

Core Curriculum: Science

1. Show children the book cover. Who has ever been to the desert?
2. Read the introduction aloud. What animals might be in this book?
3. Read aloud the book.
4. What are some of the dangers of the desert that Arnosky mentions?
5. What is your favorite animal and why?
6. Tell students to draw their animal and write down three characteristics. (Example: Roadrunner: long tails, large beak, eat rattlesnakes)
7. Have students show drawings to class and tell the three characteristics.
8. Display the student's work.

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