PR-0552UK Primary Science - Book 2

Observing frogs
Caring for my locality ~ Activity 4
Objective
• observe and develop an
awareness of living things in a
range of habitats in local and
wider environments
Working scientifically
• Questioning
• Observing
• Predicting
• Investigating and
experimenting
• Recording and communicating
Designing and making
• Exploring
Background information
Collecting animals for observation
should only be done if the animals
are not harmed. In the case of this
observation, a good supply of water
and food will ensure the survival
of the tadpoles. Once developed
into frogs, the animals should be
released into the environment
where they were found.
There are numerous Internet web
sites that explore the life cycle
of a frog and provide detailed
information on it.
Before the lesson
Note: This lesson can be approached in two ways.
(i) By collecting frogs eggs or tadpoles and observing their life cycle in class.
(ii) By using only the worksheet to identify the life cycle of a frog.
Materials needed
• Frogs’ eggs or tadpoles, an aquarium or container for storing eggs/tadpoles,
shallow water, rocks, water weed or pond weed, fish food (live from the pond
or little pieces of hard-boiled eggs), a variety of resources on the life cycle of
a frog.
Preparation
• Ensure your container is prepared using water from the same environment the
eggs/tadpoles were collected from. Keep the terrarium away from heaters and
chalk dust.
• Collect posters, books or charts to show the life cycle of a frog.
The lesson
Stimulus
• The stimulus for this lesson could involve a field trip to collect frogs’ eggs or
tadpoles. Alternatively, the eggs/tadpoles could be collected prior to the lesson
and introduced to the prepared enclosure at this time. Use collected resources
on the frog life cycle to discuss with pupils.
What to do
• Using the worksheet, show the pupils the change that is expected over the
coming weeks as the tadpoles develop into frogs.
• Frog observations should occur weekly. The pupils record development and
compare changes from the previous week.
• At each observation, pupils should identify the stage of development.
After the lesson
Answers
• Teacher check
Additional activities
• Identify frogs native to the local environment.
• Use books and the Internet to identify unique and interesting frogs. Research
the countries they live in.
• Explore how frogs are seen as a key objective to the stability and health of an
environment/ecosystem.
Viewing Sample
Display ideas
• Take photographs of the pupils collecting the frogs and tadpoles, and introducing
them to their new environment. Display with appropriate captions.
• Identify frogs from around the world. Display drawings and research about
each frog around a world map. Use string to show the country where they can
be found.
106 PRIMARY SCIENCE ~ Prim-Ed Publishing ~ www.prim-ed.com