Deserts: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9 [Paperback]

Nancy F. Castaldo (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

This activity guide introduces children to the wild and often misunderstood environment of the desert and the people and cultures that thrive in and around them. Information is included on all types of deserts—hot and dry, coastal, semiarid, and polar. Kids learn what defines a desert and the creative ways plants and animals have adapted to survive in harsh desert environments. Also discussed are urban sprawl and its effects on desert habitats and how children can help protect this delicate environment by conserving energy and reducing consumption of petroleum-based products. Engaging activities include drawing a petroglyph, making a coral snake bracelet, frying prickly pears, conducting a gerbil study, and making sand art.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–This title has little child appeal, but the information and activity ideas could be useful to educators preparing lesson plans. After providing a general overview of the different kinds of deserts and their causes, the author then examines specific deserts in seven regions of the world. Some of the chapters focus on flora and fauna; others devote more space to discussions of the cultures of human inhabitants. The final section gives suggestions for conserving these unique habitats. Castaldo's writing style is colloquial and at times awkward. Some of the projects are interesting, such as making a bead bracelet with the same stripe pattern as a coral snake. Others are impractical for all but those who live in specific regions, such as fossil hunting. Many require significant adult assistance. A lengthy, chapter-by-chapter list of resources is appended and includes unusual and interesting Web sites. Washed-out, black-and-white illustrations add little to the uninviting page layout. The volume is lamentably devoid of maps. Although Discovering Deserts (Chelsea, 1999) has similarly unattractive artwork, it contains experiments with a more scientific focus and reproducible activity pages.–Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
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Review

"Kid-friendly." —Children's Literature

"Games and activities that lead readers across the world and through time."  —Connect

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556525249
• ISBN-13: 978-1556525247
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for unit study on deserts., May 23, 2007

By 

David F. Pocai "rpocai" (DFW area, Tx) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deserts: An Activity Guide for Ages 6-9 (Paperback)

This contains scientific exploration as well as other projects. I was pleasantly surprised to find projects about art and culture as well, making this book useful across the curriculum.
It is divided into chapters that cover the various deserts across the world.
Beginning with an introduction of deserts titled 'Discovering Deserts'.
Then North American deserts in 'Welcome to the Wild West'.
Central and S. American Deserts in 'South of the Border'.
A chapter 'Journey to the Sahara, Namib, Kalahari, and Negev'.
'The Red and Black Deserts of Asia'
Australian deserts in 'Deserts Down Under'.
Arabian deserts in 'Arabian Days and Nights'
and two more chapters titles 'Not All Deserts are Hot'
and 'Saving the Deserts'

There are both long term and quick activities in the book. Some requiring research, and experimentation. Interesting facts and legends throughout.