DESERT
Discover my world Series
What’s inside...
Text and illustrations explore the variety of animal life found in the desert. An exploration of the animals who live in the desert regions of the world challenges readers to guess the identity of each pictured animal and provides additional information.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
1 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it feels like to live in a desert? Can you describe it?
Why do you think certain animals are only found in the desert?
How do the plants and animals in the desert adapt to the harsh conditions?
What are some ways people can help protect desert environments?
If you could create a story about a day in the life of a desert animal, which animal would you choose and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the desert environment, this helps the child grasp the uniqueness of the habitat.
Discuss the importance of adaptation in animals and plants, relating it to simple everyday changes the child experiences, to enhance understanding.
Encourage creative thinking by asking the child to imagine their own desert adventure story, incorporating elements from the book.
Link the discussion to broader environmental issues, teaching the child about the significance of ecosystem conservation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: Through vivid storytelling and evocative images, 'DESERT' by Ron Hirschi portrays the importance of respecting and conserving natural habitats.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the environment around them, understanding the necessity of preserving nature for future generations.
Example Lesson: Adaptation and Survival
Explanation: The book highlights how plants and animals in the desert adapt to extreme conditions, teaching children about resilience and adaptation.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply the concept of adaptation to their own lives by learning to adjust to new situations such as moving to a new city or changing schools.
Example Lesson: Ecosystem Interdependence
Explanation: ‘DESERT’ introduces children to the interdependent relationships between the flora and fauna of desert ecosystems.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of every role in a community and the impact of each individual’s actions on a larger group.
Example Lesson: Biodiversity
Explanation: This book showcases the variety of life within a desert and stresses the significance of biodiversity for the health of the planet.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value diversity in their own communities and see the strength in having varied skills, abilities, and backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Scientific Inquiry and Curiosity
Explanation: Ron Hirschi encourages exploration and curiosity about the natural world through detailed observations of the desert environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to explore and ask questions about their own surroundings, fostering a lifelong love of learning and discovery.