Encourage individual research if students have huge interest in anything that comes up. Students tend to want to find out more about the plant and animals of the desert than anything else. However, there are four deserts in the western half of the United States that we will mainly talk about. The Chihuahuan, Great Basin, Mojave, and the Sonoran. 3- Ask students what is so special about these places that make them deserts.
Deserts present many different features to consider.
Observation of students contributions on what makes a desert. Students will demonstrate their understanding of mapping using the story, Alejandro's Gift . Students will be expected to explain and justify their map. 1- Explain to students that today I am going to read a story related to the desert. Read the story up to page 13.