Re: [vernalpool] Re: Amphibian Residents for Classroom

Just wanted to say what a fine book David Alexander's Hop Into Action is. It's filled with terrific ideas for classroom teachers. Sarah

Sarah Lamstein
www.sarahlamstein.com

-----Original Message-----
From: David Alexander <Davidethanalexander@gmail.com>
To: vernalpool <vernalpool@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Mar 24, 2012 9:51 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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