Frog Migration Unit: Frog Migration Grades 3rd Grade,4th Grade,5th Grade Author Jeanne Salchil Summary In this hands-on activity, students will experience frog migration from the point of view of a frog, and discover all the obstacles amphibians face as they make their egg-laying journey. Content Understanding(s) In order to survive in their environment, plants and animals must be adapted to that environment. Animal adaptations include coloration for warning or attraction, camouflage, defense mechanisms, movement, hibernation, and migration. The health, growth, and development of organisms are affected by environmental conditions such as the availability of food, air, water, space, shelter, heat, and sunlight. The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances (pollutants) that are harmful to organisms. Therefore, the good health of environments and individuals requires the monitoring of soil, air, and water, and taking steps to keep them safe. Concept Understanding(s) Amphibian migration refers to the movement of amphibians from upland to the lowland wetland or egg-laying site. Not all amphibians will migrate to find egg-laying locations. Those that do migrate often require large, uninterrupted habitats to provide connectivity between their wintering upland areas and their breeding areas. Many move when they are triggered by warm rains that help keep their skin moist during the migration while also filling the pools at their destination. Vocabulary
Migration Hibernation Amphibian Adaptation Coloration Camouflage Pollutants Suggested Time Frame(s) 45 minutes Narrative Turn and Talk: What do you need when you go on a trip? How will you get to your destination? What are some things that can go wrong along the way? What could help you get there faster? Ask: Do animals ever go on trips? Think of what that s called and a particular animal that does travel. Activity: 1. Create 4 5 groups of students 2. As a frog group, take turns finding the frog migration cards. Students should be lead to the start of their migratory path. 3. Read the instructions on the back and follow the directions. 4. Place the migration card in a bucket or baggie once the team has acted out instructions. 5. One two team members record what the frogs encountered and how the frogs responded at each stop. 6. Celebrate your successful journey by hopping like a frog!
Discussion: Students will discuss questions in their group and select a member from their group to share with the class. What happened to you along the journey? Based on what we learned about frogs, what elements of the pond habitat are needed for frogs to survive? Based on the challenges frogs face, what conclusions can we draw about their future on planet Earth? Do they need our assistance to survive? Why or why not? How can we help frogs have a successful migration? Supplies Used Migration Materials: Laminated Set of Frog Migration Cards, clipboard, paper Laminate and cut migration cards so that one side is the picture and one describes a scenario. Create 4 5 different paths to the "pond" or other outdoor area with the cards leading to it. Postcard Materials: postcard template on cardstock, pencils, clipboard, colored pencils What Should Students Know At The End of This Lesson Students will be able to describe migration as a regular seasonal movement and identify the obstacles amphibians face through natural phenomenon and human behavior as they move through their habitat. How do you assess student learning? Students will reflect on their migration and write a postcard about their journey as if they were the migrating frog. The postcard should include the following information:
1) A description of he pond habitat that includes everything that the frog needs in order to survive and thrive. 2) Details about the journey including one positive experience and one negative experience.