I'm Not a Cactus!

WebQuest

If I were an agave, I'd be upset! People are always mistaking yucca, sotol, ocotillo and other desert plants for cactus! They may look like cactus, but they're not even in the same family! It's like calling a mouse, a moose!

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC is building a new National Nature Park. Right now, a group is working on a new desert area called the "cactus walk".

You're concerned that they might include the wrong plants. You need to make a presentation that shows them the differences between cactus and other desert plants. You also need to convince them that the name of the exhibit should be changed from "cactus walk" to "desert walk" and that agave and other desert plants should be included.

The Mission

Learn about desert plants. Create a chart showing the major desert plants that are not cactus. Compare and contrast these plants with cactus. Learn about why desert plants are important and should be included in the exhibit. Create a desert plant brochure.

The Process

Activity 1:

Find a reading buddy. Talk about what you already know about desert plants. Then, read about them. Talk about the new things you learned.

Choose an option that fits your information need:

For more information on deserts, try 42explore: Deserts.

Activity 2:

Create a chart showing the major desert plants that are not cactus. Compare and contrast these plants with cactus. Use the cactus pages for help.

Activity 3:

Learn about why desert plants are important and should be included in the exhibit. Create a list of reasons they are important. Use the following questions for ideas:

  • How do animals and insects use the plants?
  • How did the Native American people use the plants?

Write an "I'm Not a Cactus" song or poem to support your position.

Create a presentation in PowerPoint, KidPix, or other software that states your position on the importance of desert plants.

Activity 4:

Choose a desert plant that you think should be included on the desert nature walk. Create a brochure that could be given to people as the walk by your plant. Be sure to include a drawing, description, and interesting facts.

The Conclusion

Debate the issue of a "cactus walk" and decide if other desert plants should be included.

Share your ideas about the desert on a poster. Share the poster with others who might not know about desert plants.

 

Note: All photographs taken with a digital camera in Arizona and Utah.
Developed by Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson, 05/02.