Background

Frogs need suitable land and freshwater habitats in order to survive. They have highly permeable skin that can easily absorb bacteria, chemicals and other toxins. These traits make them susceptible to changes in the environment and great indicators of the health of their habitat.

Prior Knowledge

No prior knowledge is required. This can be a pre-visit, post-visit or a stand-alone activity.

Key Learning Question

How do the various adaptations help frogs survive in their environment?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Link the different parts of a frog’s body with their function
• Understand that a variety of adaptations help frogs survive in their environment 
• Understand the meaning of the term camouflage
• Learn the life cycle stages of a frog
• Learn how to help frogs in your local area

Activities

Students will:

• Observe live frogs and tadpoles, and how they move
• Identify the features of a frog and construct a model frog
• Watch frogs eating live insects in slow motion
• Sequence the life cycle of a frog

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Biological sciences

• Living things have a variety of external features and live in different places where their basic needs, including food, water and shelter, are met (VCSSU042 [1])
• Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (VCSSU043 [2])

Learning Continuum

The following Learning Continuum is a guide for teachers to show the links between the programs. Ecolinc offers onsite, online and through outreach. The Learning Continuum can be used to access Ecolinc resources to support the development of units of work.

Ecolinc Learn Online [3] is an online learning management system offering interactive online courses for students and teachers. These courses can be undertaken either as a pre-visit, post-visit or stand-alone. Students are encouraged to do the pre-learning course before coming to Ecolinc for an onsite program.

Outreach programs are conducted by an Ecolinc education officer at your school. They are available to moderately disadvantaged primary schools in the Geelong, Ballarat and western suburbs areas (or within 100km radius from Bacchus Marsh)