A Week in the Desert

Developed by: Kimberly Fraser

                        Saguaro

                        Courtesy of www.miragemall.com

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

 

This lesson is connected to visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Students will investigate how the Native Americans used their plant resources to help them survive in the desert.

 

Arizona Standards (5th grade)

Strand 4; Concept 5: Environment and Society

PO1. Describe the ways that European Colonists and Native Americans viewed, adapted, and used the environment.

 

 

                                                 Cactus and Rock

                                                 Courtesy of www.miragemall.com

 

 

Introduction

There are many types of plant life that grow in the desert of Arizona. You were able to see some of these at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Desert plants were an important part of the Native Americans’ survival in the desert climate. This exercise will require you to research which plants were helpful in adapting to the harsh desert climate.

Questions and the Task

 

Courtesy of Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Task: You have been dropped off in the middle of the desert for a week. You will not have the opportunity to bring anything with you. Use your knowledge about Native Americans and desert vegetation to help you survive.                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                       

Questions:

·         What type of vegetation can be used for food?                                           

·         What types of medicines can be made from desert plants?

·         What other ways can desert plants be used for survival?

 

Process

.You will be researching how Native Americans used there plant resources for survival.

Directions:

1.       You will be placed into groups of three.

2.       Everyone in the group will be given a different role.

·         Farmer

·         Doctor

·         Gatherer

Student Roles/Titles.

Person 1 : Farmer-you are in charge of finding the plant vegetation that can be used as food so that your group does not go hungry.

Person 2: Doctor-You are in charge of finding plants that can be used for medicinal purposes. You never know what can happen out there!

Person 3: Gatherer- Your job is to find additional ways that plant resources can be used to help you survive the week. For example-what could your group use as shelter?

 

3.       You will complete your own research depending on the role you have been assigned to. The majority of the research should be done online. You may also supplement your research using books.

4.       When all research is complete your group will meet again. Each person will share their valuable knowledge with the group.

5.       As a final project your group will construct a survival guide for anyone else who must live in the desert. Each person will contribute at least one page to the survival guide.

 

 

Presentation Options:

·         Groups will present their survival guides to the class. The survival guides are going to be a poster size display. Each one of you will construct a page that goes along with your job. The group will design the cover of the survival guide together. It will be your job to present the page that you have contributed to the guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

 

 

 

·         http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu

 

·         www.pfaf.org/

 

·         www.desertusa.com

 

·         http://eduscapes.com/nature/notcacti/index2.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation/Grading Criteria

 

This is a rubric for your individual page that you contribute to the survival guide.

 

CATEGORY

Excellent

Good

Satisfactory

Needs Improvement

Number of items

The display has 5 or more different plants that were used by the Native Americans.

The display has 4 different plants that were used by the Native Americans.

The display has at least 3 different plants that were used by the Native Americans.

The display has less than 3 plants that were used by the Native Americans.

Labels

Each plant has a descriptive paragraph telling about the item, the scientific name should be included, and the importance of the plant.

Each plant has a descriptive paragraph and the importance of the plant to the Native Americans.

Each plant has a brief paragraph and a brief statement about the importance of the plant to the Native Americans.

The description of the plant is missing or the importance of the plant.

Display

The poster display is attractive and well-organized. Each item and its paragraph are clearly visible. The paragraph is neatly typed.

The poster display is attractive and well-organized. Items are clearly visible and the paragraphs are neatly typed or handwritten.

The poster display is somewhat organized. Some items or paragraphs may not be clearly visible. Paragraphs may be somewhat difficult to read.

The poster display is not organized OR items and paragraphs are missing. Paragraphs that are included may be illegible.

 

Compliments of http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

Now you are an expert at surviving the harsh climate of the desert. You have learned a great deal of information about the different types of plant life that grows in the Sonoran Desert. As an extension activity you can learn about different aspects of survival in the desert. Topics can include animal life in the desert, or what types of water sources were available to help sustain farming.