Morning Starters: Summer 1 - Desert Dwellers
Did You Know?
The teddy-bear cholla, named for its fluffy, bear-like appearance, is actually quite vicious. Its seemingly soft, furry exterior is deceiving; the cactus is covered in dense, barbed spines that detach easily and embed themselves in anything that comes into contact with it. This painful defense mechanism deters herbivores and helps the cactus thrive in arid environments.
Credit: BBC One - Green Planet
Word Challenge
Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
Use the strategy above to learn the spellings of the words underlined in the ‘Did you know?’ paragraph.
Grammar Challenge
Copy and complete the sentence below with the presenter’s spoken words
” ______________ ” howled the presenter as the cactus pierced his skin.
Number Challenge
- The teddy-bear cholla cactus can vary in height from around 0.3 metres to 1.52 metres.
If a teddy-bear cholla cactus is exactly halfway between 0.3 m and 1.52 m in height, how tall is it?
Critical Thinking
In various cultures, cacti symbolise resilience and endurance.
Why do you think this is?
When are you most resilient?