From Ocean to Desert

Utah desert

We are talking about the Desert this week. The students have learned that Utah is the state in which they live, and Utah is a desert!

In order to survive in the desert, plants need to be able to store water. The kids were able to feel the leaves of an Aloe Vera plant. The outside was tough and had prickly spines. The we cut open the leaf and the kids could feel it was wet and soft inside.

Desert Animals

We have talked about some cute desert animals, and some that are not so cute. The kids have found even the most repulsive animals interesting. (Though some kids did not want to touch the toy snake!)

Diamond Back Rattlesnake

Scorpion

Coyote

Jack Rabbit

Desert Spiney Lizard

Next week we are headed to the forest!

Have To Have a Habitat!

January is about habitats. The first week we had an overview of what a habitat was. It is after all a weird word. We will be talking about 4 habitats: The ocean, the desert, the forest, and people habitats. The purpose of this unit is to teach the students that animals live in different places and environments. Those that live in the ocean could not live in the desert. At the end of the unit I will have them sort animals into their habitats. I'll let you know how it goes.

For the next 2 weeks we are targeting the ocean habitat. Several of the classrooms are following the theme with a trip to the Aquarium. I am learning along with the kids! Check out this video created by BBC and see if you are familiar with facts of the Blue Whale.