Frog Species Back from Extinction!

A species thought to be extinct as a result of habitat distruction in the 1950's,  has just been discovered in a pond in Israel. According to USA Today in their article Frog thought to be extinct found in Israel pond  we learn that the Hula painted frog has actually survived in a small pond. Scientists are now scrambling to study them as well as trying to find ways to help these amphibians multiply and eventually be taken off the endanged species list.

5th Annual Save the Frogs Day!

April 27th will mark the 5th year in a row that Save the Frogs celebrate the efforts around the world to save frogs from extinction. With pollution and diminishing habitat for frogs around the world, frogs face extinction on every continent. You can help by organizing an event in your community. Visit Save the Frogs for more information.

In the meantime, you can begin your own unit study about frogs so that the children you work with know as much about frogs as possible before the great even. You will find dozens of fun frog themed activities, frog unit study activities, frog math and so much more in articles I have written describing the ways I have taught my own children when homeschooling as well as classroom activities I have used when teaching in the classroom.

Have fun with frog songs, frog games and read about a Hunt for Frog Eggs.

Frog Spawn Place Value

Frog Themed Place Value Workjobs 

 

Photo Credit: Frog and Toad Eggs
on Flickr, Creative Commons.

Frogs lay their eggs in clusters and toads lay their eggs in strings.

To practice place value:

1. Lay out a sheet of blue paper (Pond Mathmat) Cut it down the middle. On one paper write frog eggs and on the other write toad eggs.

2. Roll dice of two different colors. The black die could be the ones and the green could be the tens.

3. Use White Reinforcement circles to show the number in clusters (Frog Spawn) or in strings of tens and ones (Toad Spawn)

4. Write the number in digits on the back of each one.

Later on these papers could be laminated and become a matching game with the answers on the back for self-checking.

This is adapted from an idea in Instructor , March, 2001 by Jacqueline Clarke .

More activities with a frog theme can be found at: The Frog Unit Study

Frogs are a popular Unit Study

Children love learning about animals and frogs are one of the more interesting wild animals that can easily be observed by children. In the Frog Unit Study, written by The Homeschool Club Co-Founder, Evelyn Saenz, children learn about frogs and all areas of the curriculum are addressed.

The games Swat the Verb Flies has children pretending to be frogs catching flies. Frogs only eat insects that are moving. By using fly swatters, the children swat at fly shaped cards which have words written on them. If the word is a verb, a word that shows motion, the children (Froglets) swat it.

The games and activities in this Frog Unit Study are unique and original. Be sure to visit often for more frog themed activities all across the curriculum...

The Frog Writing Center

The green spotted table and frog chairs inspire young frogs to write their life histories.

Provide plenty of paper, pencils, and frogs to observe. Novelty pens that are shaped like frogs or paper that is cut in a frog shape can also inspire writing.

Spend time writing every day. Write in all curriculum areas and don't forget to publish the best writing so that everyone can be inspired to write more.

The more you write about frogs the more you will learn about frogs because writing requires observation, deep thinking and accuracy in expressing your thoughts.

From The Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn

Autumn Frog and Leaf Litter

Fallen leaves provide shelter for a multitude of animals including earthworms, pillbugs, and millipedes. These animals provide food for frogs, toads, and other small animals. As winter draws near, the leaf litter becomes a warm blanket which helps these small animals to survive the cold.

Consider leaving a leaves on a portion of your lawn to increase the fauna of your yard. The frogs and other small animals will thank you and reward you with more wildlife sitings in the coming year.

Photo Credit: Portrait of Toad
on Flickr, Creative Commons.

Mixing frog green for Painting Frogs

Green Frog Paint
Color the Frog Green


Set out lots of yellow and some blue and let the kids mix the colors to make various shades of green.

Photo Credit: Frog Watercolor
on Flickr, Creative Commons.

Large paper covered in shades of green can be cut into frog or vegetation shapes to create bulletin boards, collages or other froggy art projects.