Introduction:
Learning that different categories of animals have different life spans is an important aspect of the 2nd grade curriculum. Being able to decipher that frogs and butterflies undergo stages of transformation compared to other species that just resemble their parents has become an important task. From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer is a good book to introduce students to that helps them understand the life stages of the frog and the different apsects that represent what stage they are at during a specific time of the year.
Summary:
From Tadpole to Frog tells the story of the tadpoles from Frog Pond growing from tadpoles into adult frogs. We start off in the winter season, during which the frogs are in their hiding place. Throughout the story, we are taken through the different seasons, with spring being the time that the male frogs call out for their mates. The story goes on to tell what happens once the females have responded to the male calls. Tadpoles are then released into the pond where they continue to grow alongside being eaten by their predators. The end of the book gives us different examples of frogs and a map discloses to us where bullfrogs are living.
Curriculum Connections:
This book could be used at the end of lesson to help reinforce the SOL 2.4a- that some animals undergo distinct stages during their lives, while others generally resemble their parents. After going over the lesson, the book could be read to the class and then the teacher could ask questions based around the book and the lesson. Try connecting the two together and see if the students understand what is going on.
Additional Resources:
For more information on the life span of a frog try this website Life Cycle of Frogs
For an idea on an activity related to frogs and extra information try this website Kids Activity: Frogs
For a 2nd grade level thematic unit on frogs try Frogs: A Thematic Unit
General Information:
Book: From Tadpole to Frog
Author: Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrator: Holly Keller
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: Jan. 1994
Pages: 8-32
Grade Range: 2nd
ISBN: 9780064451239