Deserts

Explore Utah's desert landscapes with these engaging, hands-on lesson plans. Desert lesson plan PDFs are arranged by grade level under ecology, physical science, and humanities categories. Supplemental materials may be listed below some UNE lesson plans. Also listed, are links to lesson plans from a variety of organizations.

Ecology Lesson Plans

Lesson Provided By	Lesson Title	Grade Level	Formats	Companion Resource
Utah Nature Explorers	A Day in the Desert	1, 2, 3	PDF
Utah Nature Explorers	Desert Plan Adaptations	3, 4, 5	PDF
Utah Nature Explorers	Desert Water Adaptations	3, 4, 5, 6	PDF	PowerPoint presentation
Utah Nature Explorers	Kangaroo Rats	3, 4, 5	PDF	PowerPoint presentation
Utah Nature Explorers	Desert Adapations	4	PDF
Desert Museum	Adaptation, a Way of Life	4, 5	PDF
Discovery Education	Desert Animals Adaptations	4	Website
National Park Service	Animal Adaptations	4	Website
National Park Service	Bighorn Sheep	6	Website
National Park Service	Field Trip in a Box: Desert Adaptations (Intended to be done at Arches National Park)	5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12	PDF
National Park Service	Field Trip: Plant Adaptations	5, 6	PDF
National Park Service	Field Trip: Water Cycle	4	Website
Outdoor Biology	Desert Water Keepers	4, 5	PDF
PBS and WBGH Educational Foundation	Adaptation	7, 8	Website/Printable
Utah Education Network	Putting Down Roots	4	Website/Printable
Utah Education Network	Wetlands, Forests and Deserts: An Investigation	4	Website/Printable

Physical Science Lesson Plans

Lesson Provided By	Lesson Title	Grade Level	Formats	Companion Resource
Utah Nature Explorers	Desert Living vs. Nonliving	7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12	PDF	PowerPoint presentation My Worm Investigation sheet Classification activity cards Classification sheets
National Park Service	Rocks	2	Website
National Park Service	Physical Features of the Earth	5	Website

Humanities Lesson Plans

Lesson Provided By	Lesson Title	Grade Level	Formats	Companion Resource
National Park Service	Traveling Safely in the Desert	2, 3	Website