3rd Grade Frog Lesson Inquiry Packet

Chapter 2: What Are Frogs? 

Your Name: 

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Frogs are animals and are members of the amphibian group. Amphibians are small vertebrates that need water, or a moist environment to survive. The species in this group include frogs, toads and salamanders. All can breathe air and have lungs. They can also  absorb oxygen from the water through their very thin skin. Although they need _______________ to survive, frogs can live near water, in trees, or in the prairie.

Frogs are one of the most diverse species in the world, with over 6,000 species! They are found from all over the place, including high up in trees, and low down in the ground. Like reptiles, amphibians (frogs) are ______________ blooded. Because of their special skin, they require very specific living conditions. Too much sun can damage their cells. Too much wind can dry their skin and dehydrate them. Since every frog has a specific habitat, we have to learn what habitats frogs can survive in. 

Although all frogs need water, they can live in different ecosystems. Some frogs live in the aquatic ecosystem which is made up of _________________________________________. Others live high up in the trees of the forest, and others live in the open prairie fields. 

We are going to make a model of a frog using playdoh. In this model, you want to make sure you are including the parts of the frog that are most important. Using your model, explain the important parts of the frog and why you think they are important to them. The webbed ____________ assist the frog in swimming. Another important part of the frog is their nostrils! Frogs breathe through their ___________________ while also absorbing about half the oxygen they need through their skin! 

Once you have your model ready, you will be assigned a species of frog that is found in Missouri! You will do research and answer the following questions to further your knowledge on your species of frog. Once you find out whether your frog’s habitat is on the flat land, the trees, or the water, come up to the poster and attach your frogs name to where it belongs!

Here is a list of 8 awesome species of frog that are found in Missouri! Look up at the board to see which species of frog belongs to you! 

Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris blanchardi)

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea)

Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis)

Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata)

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

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My species of frog is: ______________________________________________________

What 3 main ecosystems can frogs live in? ______________________________________,________________________________, and __________________________________________

My species of frog belong in the following habitat…  (circle your answer)

Ponds/Lakes/Rivers     Open Land/Praire/Under Ground     Trees/Forest

This is what my frog’s habitat looks like: 

My species of frog likes to eat: 

This is what my frog looks like: (draw it and try to label as many parts of the frog as you can!)

Amphibians are small ___________________ that need water, or a _______________ environment to survive.

What does it mean when we call frogs vertebrates?

Referring to YOUR ecosystem (water, prairie, or trees) what kind of other animals might you find roaming around with your frog?

How does the appearance of your frog help them survive in their habitat?

Too much _________________ causes frogs to need more water because it dries their skin. That is why frogs need water to survive, if they dry out they can die. Name a few things that your frog has to do in order to survive!

 Referring to YOUR species of frog, what other questions do you have about your frog?