85. First Program Science: Green Tree Frogs

In the spring, second grade students study Green Tree Frogs, observing their behavior and conducting experiments. They do additional research on iPads and create observational drawings.

The Green Tree Frog study in First Program brings great excitement to the second graders in the spring. The study starts off with an initial day of observing the frogs as they move in their habitat, jumping side from side. The children are so intrigued by their new tiny creatures and their movement that little by little, the children move their faces closer and closer to the tanks to get a better view. Then there is the screaming as the frog makes a sudden movement and jumps to the opposite side of the tank! This is only to be outdone on days when these tiny frogs are placed in the second graders nervous hands, as they can then observe their amphibians through touch and through lots of laughter.

The unit is so special as the children learn to care for the animals by doing fair tests with hands on experiments.  We use iPads to do research to find out additional information about the Green Tree Frogs that we cannot observe, such as their life cycle and their natural habitat. They also record their observations in careful drawings. The end of the unit is culminated with the adoption of our beloved friends. With parental permission, the Green Tree Frogs make their way into a second graders’ home to be loved and nurtured.
—Martha King, First Program Science Teacher