DOWN AT THE POND
 "Jump Frog Jump!"

Grade Level(s): Pre K-K

Subject(s): Language Arts, Math, Science, Art

Learner Outcomes: Students will measure and compare different lengths; count to ten; describe characteristics of frogs; identify the stages of the life cycle of frogs; create simulation of life cycle using play dough.

Time Frame: 30-40 minutes

Materials: "Jump Frog Jump"  by Robert Kalan;  Frog Cutouts (see resources), rope, and scissors.

Technology Tools/Courseware: Computer With Internet Access, Digital Camera and Projector.

Teacher Notes:

• Great to do in the spring when the frogs are laying eggs.
• Make a copy of jumping frog pattern (see resources) on tag board.
• You  need to cut out 10 frogs and number them for number sequences.
• Access frog metamorphosis sites on Internet prior to lesson and bookmark.

Procedures:

• Read "Jump Frog Jump" by Robert Kalan.
• Explain to students that frogs have very strong back legs that allows them to jump up to ten times their own lengths.
• Place jumping frog pattern on the ground.
• Mark starting point and measure ten frog lengths as students count in unison.
• Mark the ending point so that students can examine the total distance.
• Measure and cut a rope equal in length of a student's height.
• Mark an outdoor starting point.
• Have the students help measure ten child lengths with the rope.
• Compare how far the students can jump and far they could if they were frogs.
• Use Internet projector to show students metamorphosis of the frog from link.

Enrichment Activities:

• Read aloud Fish Is Fish by Leo Lionni.
• Discuss the metamorphosis of the frog.
• Display examples of stages of development (one copy for each group).
• Teacher assigns student a specific stage.
• Provide each student in the group with a picture card (see resources) for his assigned stage of development and a ball of play dough.
• Students will sculpt a stage of the frog life cycle.
• Place creations in sequence to make a display of a frog's life cycle.
• Use digital camera to take pictures of students creating their sculpture, and their finished project.
• Show pictures to class using a projector.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives (IGO's) and standards:

English/Language Arts:

Listening and Speaking:  K.1, K.8

Science:

Scientific Processes/Thinking Skills:  K.19

Scientific Attitudes/Habits of Mind:  K.8

Computer/Technology:  K.69, K.74

Mathematics:

Number Theory:  K.2

Measurement:  K.22, K.24

Art:

Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes:  K.5

Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines:  K.28

National Standards

Math Standards:  Use a variety of strategies in the problem solving process.

Standard 2:  Understand and applies basic concepts of numbers.

Science Standards:  Knows that learning can come from careful observations and simple experiments.

Language Arts Standards:

Listening and Speaking Standards:  Demonstrates competence in speaking and listening as tools for learning.

Art Standards:  Understands connections among the various art forms and other disciplines.

Resources --

Frog cutout page

Life cycle picture cards

Additional Resources: Records: "Pretend" and "Jumping Frog" by Hap Palmer;
"Ten Speckled Frogs" by Mockingbird Flight

Student Resources:
Frogs by Michael Chinery, Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Label,
Frog Where Are You?  by Mercer Mayer, The Mysterious Tadpole by Steven Kellog, and Fish Is Fish by Leo Lionni

Internet Links:

More Frog Links

Life Cycle of the Frog

Created by:

Verdunville Elementary -- Logan County

Cathy M. Adkins

Sharon Bryant

Martha Adkins
 

Lesson 1  "We're Talking   Turtles!"

Lesson 2   "Wake Up     Pond!"

Lesson 3 "Something Fishy!"

Lesson 4 "A Pond With A View!"

Lesson 5 "Jump Frog Jump!"