Reading club recently read several books about the desert.  To extend learning, students made desert animals and cacti from salt dough.  Students used the stories as inspiration while shaping their turtles, snakes, etc.  After the salt dough dried student painted their creations.  Salt dough is easy to make and a great way for students to make sculptures, hand prints or beads.  The link below details a great salt dough recipe to try out at home!