Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to draw different types of cacti found in the Arizona desert, understand their unique features, and appreciate the beauty of flowering cacti.

Materials and Prep

For this lesson, you will need:

• Pencil
• Paper
• Colored pencils or crayons

Before the lesson, it’s helpful to look at pictures of cacti and flowering cacti found in the Arizona desert. This will give the student ideas and inspiration for their drawings.

Activities

• Look and Learn: Start by showing the student pictures of different types of cacti. Discuss their shapes, sizes, and colors. Ask the student to pick their favorite cactus to draw.

• Drawing Time: Using a pencil, have the student sketch their chosen cactus. Encourage them to think about the unique features of the cactus, like its arms or flowers.

• Color It In: Once the drawing is complete, let the student use colored pencils or crayons to color their cactus. Remind them to use greens for the cactus and bright colors for the flowers!

• Cactus Story: After drawing, ask the student to create a short story about their cactus. Where does it live? What animals visit it? This will help them connect with their artwork.

Talking Points

• "Did you know that some cacti can live for over 100 years? That's a really long time!"
• "Cacti are special because they store water in their stems. This helps them survive in the hot desert!"
• "Look at how different this cactus is from the others! Some are tall and skinny, while others are short and round. What do you think makes them different?"
• "Flowering cacti have beautiful blooms! What colors do you want to use for the flowers on your cactus?"
• "Cacti are home to many animals. Can you think of any animals that might live near a cactus?"
• "When you look at a cactus, what do you feel? Is it prickly? Or do you think it's beautiful? Let's draw how it makes you feel!"