Re: [vernalpool] Re: Amphibian Residents for Classroom

NAAMP has a web site to hear the frog calls.www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/

Kris

________________________________
From: Judd Thompson <thompson106@yahoo.com>
To: "vernalpool@yahoogroups.com" <vernalpool@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2012 10:12 PM
Subject: Re: [vernalpool] Re: Amphibian Residents for Classroom

Hi All,
I have watched the annual flurry of emails for a couple of years now as they work their way north and to my neck of the Maine woods, Pittsfield. I presently teach math in a middle school (grades 5-8) but next year there is a very good chance I'll get to have a science class and I would really like to do a vernal pool unit, or at least a herp unit. My new principal has a bug in her ear and would really like to explore expeditionary learning opportunities. Does anyone have an idea on where I should start?

Yesterday afternoon in almost 70 deg. sun as I was heading to my car I heard what must have been some kind of tree frog, sort of a chirp and then a trill. I went headlong into the brush and found a fairly big marshy place - 200' X 200'. The preponderance of cat tails means it is probably not a vernal pool. BUT, with its proximity to the school there must be plenty of opportunity there... right?

I would appreciate any guidance. Like how can I ID what I heard the other day and how I can create a standards based curriculum focused on an expeditionary experience.

________________________________
From: David Alexander <Davidethanalexander@gmail.com>
To: vernalpool@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, March 24, 2012 9:50 PM
Subject: [vernalpool] Re: Amphibian Residents for Classroom

Thanks to everyone for all the important discussion points regarding
amphibians in the classroom. The Hop Into Action, Amphibian Curriculum for
Grades K-4 includes a section on just this designed to better prepare
educators. You can download the free sample chapter "Lily Pad Venn
Diagrams" which includes introductory information on many of these points
and more.

Link to the book and sample chapter:
http://nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781936137077
Link to book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936137070/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=10698801367&ref=pd_sl_7e54km9uy6_b

Remember, before you bring in the amphibians to include an introduction,
Ask your students the following:
How would you create a habitat for the amphibian that provides basic needs
and closely resembles the natural habitat? What does the amphibian need to
survive? How can we create a habitat in our classroom that includes all of
these things? Consider moisture, light, temperature, and food.
• What do amphibians need to eat? Do they eat the same things at all life
stages?
• Should we hold and handle the amphibian?
• How long should we keep the animal in this artificial or model habitat?

The children's book "Salamander Room" by Anne Mazer also offers an
excellent starting point about the realities of keeping an amphibian as a
pet. A boy brings home a salamander but must continue to bring home
additional plants and animals to make the salamander feel more
comfortable..finally turning his room into the environment in which the
salamander came from.
My take away is that the best place to learn about the environment is the
environment. Only bring living things into the classroom if no other option
is available.

David Alexander
www.natureintoaction.com
Author, Buzz Into Action, The Insect Curriculum for Grades K-4
Author, Hop Into Action, The Amphibian Curriculum for Grades K-4
-2011 Finalist for Distinguished Achievement Award from Association of
Education Publishers
-2011 Winner of a Book Design & Effectiveness Award from Washington Book
Publishers

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