Background

Frogs belong to the group of animals called amphibians. Frogs are unique in their ability to live on both land and in water, and to metamorphose during their life cycle. Frogs can breathe through their moist skin and through their lungs. Australia has a fascinating and spectacular variety of frogs, over 240 of the world’s 5,000 species.

There are 36 species of frog known to occur in Victoria, but many have declined or are currently in decline. Many species are classified as endangered, including the Growling Grass Frog, which was once common around parts of Melbourne. There are many reasons for the decline in numbers including habitat loss, introduced species, pollution and diseases. Students can assist in the conservation process by being involved in frog surveys and creating suitable habitat to allow local frogs to naturally colonize an area.

The Growling Grass Frog was discovered in the Ecolinc wetland in 2007.

Key Learning Question

Where do frogs live and how do they survive?

Learning Intentions

In this activity students will:

• Learn that frogs have features that help them to survive in their habitat
• Understand that frogs have specific habitat requirements
• Understand that when habitats change, frogs no longer have their needs met and can become endangered
• Learn about the frog lifecycle 
• Frogs have distinct calls which can be used to identify the species

Activities

Students will:

• Observe live frogs including the endangered Growling Grass Frog 
• Explore the Ecolinc wetland and find frog habitats 
• Make a frog-friendly habitat
• Explore the threats to the endangered Growling Grass Frog
• Construct a frog life cycle wheel 
• Listen to frog calls and identify the species

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)
• Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves (VCSSU043)

Science – Science Inquiry Skills

• Participate in guided investigation, including making observations using the sense, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

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 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)