Deserts aren't empty — they're some of the most extreme, most surprising ecosystems on Earth. From the towering dunes of the Namib and the sunbaked Kalahari to the rugged Australian Outback and the icy sands of the Gobi, life finds a way.
After watching desert video clips, have students dig deeper with their own research and build a brochure covering:
- Location of the ecosystem on a world map
- Adjectives that describe the ecosystem
- Three animals that live there
- Three plants that grow there
- The climate
- Why the ecosystem matters
- Their favorite fun facts
Students summarize in their own words, which means they're practicing a real skill: pulling information from multiple sources and deciding what's worth keeping. The brochure format gives them room to make it their own
Explore the fascinating world of deserts and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to survive in some of the hottest and driest places on Earth. From towering cacti and clever nocturnal animals to sudden sandstorms and scarce water sources, students will learn how life continues to thrive in these extreme environments.
This Kahoot investigates the unique features of desert ecosystems, including climate, habitats, food chains, and the special adaptations that help living things conserve water and stay cool. Students will also explore how deserts change over time and why these harsh landscapes are an important part of our planet’s natural systems.
Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and uncover the surprising diversity and resilience of life in the desert.
In Australia, Our Most Arid Continent, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the Australian desert. In the Australian desert, the daytime temperature rises by 41°F (5°C) every hour. Learn how Australia is the world's most arid continent. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Journey across a continent filled with tropical rainforests, sandy beaches, wide-open grasslands, rugged mountains, and the vast Australian Outback. Along the way, meet some of Australia’s most famous wildlife, including bouncing kangaroos and tree-climbing koalas. Discover how these animals are suited to their habitats and why so many of Australia’s plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth.
From spectacular landscapes to unusual wildlife, these BBC clips offer a glimpse of Australia from many different angles. Grab your imaginary passport and get ready to explore!
In How Red Kangaroos Keep Their Cool, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how red kangaroos survive the extreme heat of the Australian desert. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Deserts aren't empty — they're some of the most extreme, most surprising ecosystems on Earth. From the towering dunes of the Namib and the sunbaked Kalahari to the rugged Australian Outback and the icy sands of the Gobi, life finds a way.
After watching desert video clips, have students dig deeper with their own research and build a brochure covering:
- Location of the ecosystem on a world map
- Adjectives that describe the ecosystem
- Three animals that live there
- Three plants that grow there
- The climate
- Why the ecosystem matters
- Their favorite fun facts
Students summarize in their own words, which means they're practicing a real skill: pulling information from multiple sources and deciding what's worth keeping. The brochure format gives them room to make it their own
Explore the fascinating world of deserts and discover how plants, animals, and people adapt to survive in some of the hottest and driest places on Earth. From towering cacti and clever nocturnal animals to sudden sandstorms and scarce water sources, students will learn how life continues to thrive in these extreme environments.
This Kahoot investigates the unique features of desert ecosystems, including climate, habitats, food chains, and the special adaptations that help living things conserve water and stay cool. Students will also explore how deserts change over time and why these harsh landscapes are an important part of our planet’s natural systems.
Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and uncover the surprising diversity and resilience of life in the desert.
In Australia, Our Most Arid Continent, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the Australian desert. In the Australian desert, the daytime temperature rises by 41°F (5°C) every hour. Learn how Australia is the world's most arid continent. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Journey across a continent filled with tropical rainforests, sandy beaches, wide-open grasslands, rugged mountains, and the vast Australian Outback. Along the way, meet some of Australia’s most famous wildlife, including bouncing kangaroos and tree-climbing koalas. Discover how these animals are suited to their habitats and why so many of Australia’s plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth.
From spectacular landscapes to unusual wildlife, these BBC clips offer a glimpse of Australia from many different angles. Grab your imaginary passport and get ready to explore!
In How Red Kangaroos Keep Their Cool, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how red kangaroos survive the extreme heat of the Australian desert. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.