Teachers TryScience

Content of introduction - Engage

1. Establish students’ prior knowledge – What do they know already? What is a frog? What is the lifecycle of a frog? Do we have frogs in our country?

2. Introduce students to:

   • Classification of frogs

   • Concept of different animal adaptations

   • Terminology for frog body parts

Structure of activities – Explore, Explain and Elaborate

Activity 1 – What is a Frog? presentation

• Educator presents Fascinating Frogs PowerPoint to students

• Students should consider the following questions as they listen to the presentation:

Q1. What is an amphibian? How are they different to other animals?

Q2. What does cold-blooded mean?

Q3. What is the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate?

Q4. What is special about the skin of a frog? What does it do?

Q5. Name the four stages in a frog life cycle.

Q6. Why do frogs need water to survive?

Q7. What is a habitat?

Q8. What is an adaptation?

Q9. What changes in a habitat can affect frogs?

Q10. Describe the habitat and adaptations of one species of Australian frog.

Activity 2 – Sorting Game

• Students read Dr. Jodi Rowley's article about the difference between frogs and toads

  • Article found here - http://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/science/frogs-and-toads

• What's the difference between a frog and a toad? After reading Dr. Rowley's article, students must determine whether eight unidentified species are frogs or toads, based on some short facts and a cut out picture of the species. A PowerPoint presentation with species picture cutouts and relevant species facts is attached.

Management of activities

1. Educator explains/ hands out the labelling and sorting games. Also points students towards the Australian Museum links.

Content of conclusion - Evaluate

1. Detailed instructions on wrap up session e.g. One thing they have learnt? What surprised them today? What are they going to tell their family about tonight? What would they like to find out more about? How could they find out more?