Desert Wonders Packet
Desert Discovery
Morning Work: Day 1
Standards: 3.RL.1, 3.RL.4
Name:
Date:
Coyote and the Singing Saguaro
Coyote was trotting through the Sonoran Desert when he heard a low, humming sound. He stopped his paws and pricked his ears. There, standing tall with its arms reaching toward the purple sunset, was a massive saguaro cactus. Coyote thought the cactus was singing!
"Hey, prickly giant!" Coyote barked. "Teach me your song so I can be the most famous singer in the desert." The saguaro remained perfectly still, its needles shimmering in the fading light. Coyote didn't realize that the "song" was just the wind whistling through the cactus's heavy ribs.
Coyote grew agitated when the cactus didn't answer. He danced around the base of the plant, yapping and howling. "I'm the cleverest animal here! You must share your secrets!" He was so busy bragging that he didn't notice the steep wash right behind him. Suddenly, his foot slipped, and he tumbled into the sandy ditch with a yelp. The wind whistled louder, and it sounded like the saguaro was finally laughing at him.
1. Why does Coyote think the saguaro is singing? (3.RL.1)
2. In the third paragraph, what does the word agitated mean? (3.RL.4)
Calm and peaceful
Upset or annoyed
Very hungry
Fast and speedy
3. What event leads to Coyote falling into the ditch? Use evidence from the text. (3.RL.1)
Desert Explorer Series
Desert Discovery
Morning Work: Day 2
Standards: 3.RI.1, 3.RI.4
Name:
Date:
Giant of the Desert
The saguaro cactus is a magnificent plant that only grows in the Sonoran Desert. These giants can live for over 150 years and grow up to 60 feet tall! Because it rains so little in the desert, the saguaro has a special way to survive. Its skin is thick and waxy to keep water from escaping.
During a heavy rain, the saguaro acts like a giant sponge. Its internal accordion-like ribs expand to soak up as much water as possible. One saguaro can hold up to several tons of water! This stored water allows the plant to live through long months of heat and drought without a single drop of rain.
The saguaro is also an important home for desert animals. Gila woodpeckers and screech owls carve out holes in the cactus to build nests. When the cactus produces white flowers in late spring, bats and birds drink the nectar. Even when a saguaro dies, its woody skeleton provides shelter for lizards and snakes on the desert floor.
1. How does the saguaro cactus store water during heavy rains? (3.RI.1)
2. What does the author mean by describing the ribs as accordion-like? (3.RI.4)
They make loud music
They can stretch and grow wider
They are sharp and dangerous
They are made of metal
3. List two ways animals use the saguaro cactus based on the text. (3.RI.1)
Desert Explorer Series
Desert Discovery
Morning Work: Day 3
Standards: 3.RL.4, 3.RI.4, 3.RL.1, 3.RI.1
Name:
Date:
Coyote Review
"The saguaro remained perfectly still, its needles shimmering in the fading light."
1. What does shimmering mean here? (3.RL.4)
2. How does the wind affect Coyote's behavior? (3.RL.1)
Giant Cactus Review
"This stored water allows the plant to live through long months of heat and drought..."
3. What does drought mean here? (3.RI.4)
4. Why is the Sonoran Desert the only place these grow? (3.RI.1)
Word Detective
Word
Bragging
"I'm the cleverest animal here!"
Write a sentence using this word:
Desert Explorer Series
Desert Discovery
Morning Work: Day 4
Standards: 3.RL.2, 3.RI.2
Name:
Date:
Fiction: Story Message
What is the central message or lesson of "Coyote and the Singing Saguaro"? (3.RL.2)
Circle the detail that best supports this lesson:
Coyote heard a low humming sound in the desert.
He was so busy bragging that he didn't notice the steep wash.
Nonfiction: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the entire text "Giant of the Desert"? (3.RI.2)
Key Detail 1
Key Detail 2
Desert Explorer Series
Desert Discovery
Morning Work: Day 5
Standards: 3.RI.9, 3.RL.1, 3.RI.1
Name:
Date:
Comparing Point of View (3.RI.9)
Both "Coyote and the Singing Saguaro" and "Giant of the Desert" are about saguaro cacti. How are the points of view about the cactus different in each text?
The Story's View
The Informational View
1. Based on both texts, why are saguaros important to the desert? (3.RI.9)
2. Final Challenge: Choose one question you still have about saguaros after reading these texts. (3.RI.1/3.RL.1)
WEEK COMPLETE!
Great job explorer
Desert Explorer Series
