They could also illustrate and publish their own cookbook of recipes of the Americas. Teach students about Mexican music and instruments and have them learn a Mexican song. Students can explore the diversity of the U.S. Latino population, the differences and the similarities such as enjoying a pachanga with friends and music. After learning about mural art, students can plan and create a large desert mural. Students can create a desert diorama, art boxes, mosaics, desert animal masks, cartoons of desert creatures, riddles, bookmarks.
Students can learn about protective coloration camouflage, warning coloration and mimicry.
After learning about the desert, students can listen to one of the many tapes available of nature sounds and write as they listen, and share their work in small groups. Students can practice observation skills essential to a writer by spending time outdoors and recording in their small poetry notebook what they hear and see in preparation for writing. I love etymology including horticultural etymology, details such as the origin of the name tulip possibly coming from the Arabic dulband meaning turban. After learning about the origin of the name poinsettia , have students read about flower folklore and write a story based on their research or create a name for an imaginary flower and write and illustrate that story. The flower could, of course, be named after themselves or their friends which could lead to some interesting descriptions.