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Activity: Toady Went a Courtin' (Toad and Frog Songs)This activity can be done in part or as a whole. Use it to teach toad and frog songs. You will need access to at least one computer, copies of the student handout, and species name cards. Introduction: How do you tell one person's voice from another? (Listen to the tone, volume, pattern of speech . . .) Toads and frogs also use these voice characteristics to tell one species from another. Many toads and frogs will use the same pond to breed and lay their eggs. To attract another toad or frog of the same species, the males sing. In this activity, you will learn eight frog and toad songs. You can use what you know to go outside this spring and listen for what kinds of toads and frogs live around your neighborhood. In the computer lab or classroom: Go to Minnesota Frogs for Kids. Working with a partner, listen to each of the toad and frog songs. How can you reproduce that sound? Decide together, then write down how you will make the noise on your student sheet. Human Frog Pond Seranade: Back in the classroom, create your own version of a frog pond. Ask each student to pick one of the sounds they heard and replicate it on cue. The teacher will be the conductor, cueing in various individuals as "evening" sets, then quieting the pond down as the sun rises in the morning. Create a class list of frog and toad songs: Use the lists made by students. Have them share how they chose to create each frog or toad song, writing each on the board as you go. Take a few moments to point out the similarities and differences in each version. Each toad and frog of a particular species also has a unique voice, even though they sing a similar song. Play "Turf Tunes": Cut out at least two cards for each frog or toad species (for example if you have only 10 students, chose a maximum of 5 species.) Hand cards out and ask students not to show it to others. On the signal, students begin making the call of their frog or toad. The object of the game is for each student to find the other members of their species. Go Outside and Listen! What toads and frogs are living near you? Do different species live in different areas? Do they all sing at the same time? You can even become part of a network of people listening for frogs and toads around the country at Frog and Toad Calling Surveys. Lesson Plans and Activities On the Web Activities In Published Curricula Let's Hear it For Herps! Range Rick's full Naturesope activity guide and lesson plans for elementary and middle school. Acorn Naturalists is a book and nature study vendor with lots of great stuff, including Naturescope. You might run into toads or frogs in these Wolf Ridge classes: If you take Lake Study and Stream Study class at Wolf Ridge, you will examine the physical, chemical and biological properties of Wolf Lake or Sawmill Creek. Wearing boots which are provided, and working in small groups, you will test temperature, pH, stream velocity, and dissolved oxygen. You will also use nets to collect and examine aquatic animal life. Can you tell from your explorations whether the lake and stream are healthy or not? In the spring, many Animal Signs classes visit "Snowmelt Pond" in Sawmill Creek Valley. This is an area in the woods that is wet only in spring or after a big rain. It is sometimes used by amphibians. The Wetlands Ecology class explores the area near Raven Lake, which contains representations of various wetland types.
Robin | Pussy Willow | Ice Out | Painted Turtle | Toad | Dandelion Blooms | Dandelion Seeds | Maple Leaves | Mosquito |
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