What could be more fun than going out after dark to listen to the remarkable vocalizations of frogs and toads? This activity prepares elementary students for this experience with learning tasks that explore frog life cycles and how to identify the calls of local frog and toad species. The final step in this discovery unit is for students, teachers and parents to embark on an evening trip to a local wetland to closely observe amphibians in their natural habitat. As students listen to the sounds of the night they will develop a deep connection to the natural world that will reinforce positive attitudes towards conservation action.
This resource supports science curriculum outcomes related to exploring the world with senses, animal growth and development, biodiversity and ecosystems. The activities also foster environmental citizenship skills as students learn how to respectfully interact with nature. An English Language Arts assessment task engages students in writing a story about their observations.
Students could become actively involved in stewardship through a number of projects that support frog and toad preservation. A class could participate in the citizen science initiative “Frogwatch” where they submit amphibian observations as part of a national monitoring program.
Students could also work with a local gardening organization to create frog and toad habitat in the school yard by building a small pond or creating clay pot amphibian shelters.
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