Introduction
Frogs and toads live all around us.
They are classified as amphibians: animals that spend part of their life
in water and part on land. They dwell in wet areas because they don't possess a
shell or scales to prevent their skin from drying out (dehydration).
During the winter they burrow in the mud to keep their skin moist and remain
warm.
Frogs undergo metamorphosis, a major change in body appearance and structure as they grow. A frog
starts life as an egg, grows into a tadpole, changes into a froglet, and then
finally grows to be an adult frog.
Toads are actually
frogs. They are members of the Bufonidae family. Toads differ from frogs
in that they usually prefer dryer climates and have warts. They also walk
instead of hop.
Amphibians tell us there are
changes to our environment. An area with a lot of frogs or toads
probably indicates that the environment is healthy and complete. A location that
has a declining frog population or if for some reason the population is suddenly
missing, may signal a changing environment. Changes in frog populations can
signal air and water pollution problems.
The objectives of this inquiry
are to answer several fundamental questions and explore the following areas:
-
What are some characteristics of
frogs and toads?
-
Where do they live? (habitat)
-
What
are the similarities and differences between frogs and toads?
-
Identify several local species of frogs
and toads.
-
What is the life cycle of a frog?
-
What is the role of the frog in the
environment?
Procedure During
the next seven class periods, visit the websites listed below and find
answers to the questions listed above. When you are finished gathering
your information, go to the Online Assessments
area and do the three exercises. In two weeks there will be a post
inquiry discussion in class and an exam. Your participation in the
discussion and results on the exam will be evaluated based on a rubric.
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/1337/info.html
http://cgee.hamline.edu/frogs/science/frogfact.html
http://allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml
http://www.ecc.ttu.edu/edit5318/DUnfred/FrogStudent.htm
http://www.ecc.ttu.edu/edit5318/DUnfred/FrogTeacher.htm
http://www.norcrossws.org/html/frogsandtoads.htm
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow9/jun99/
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110059/index.html
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/sets/temp/index.htm
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