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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Frogs - Taking Advantage of Real Life, Hands On Learning



"If it's not in the hand, then it's not in the head or the heart!"
~ Bev Bos

Strolling along a nature trail, throwing rocks into a lake, or playing on a playground is where you will find us on most days.  We typically get out to a park or playground every day, and allow our children to take us on all kinds of adventures.  What a gift it is to see the wonder of the world through their eyes.  On one such trip recently, we came upon a lake brimming with tadpoles.

YES – We can bring out our nets and catch some for you all to explore.  
YES – You may walk into the water with your shoes on (or off).
YES – We can catch more than one.  
YES – We can take them home for further exploration and learning.
YES - You may hold them.

This type of hands-on learning is ideal - 
to spark interest
for better retention
and because its fun.
Thus it begins – the life cycle of a frog adventures.



Catching tadpoles
Watching tadpoles

Scoop 'em up!

Got some!

The wonder!!

YES - You may hold them.

Growth of a Tadpole

"Look, this one is the smallest."

"This one has hind limbs!!!  He must be the oldest.  Will he be a frog soon?  Let me pick him up for a better look."

We watched a short video about the Life Cycle of the Frog

An invitation to explore the tadpoles.

He put one in a petri dish for a better look.

Using a magnifying glass.

"I'm drawing the whole tadpole family."

Our hopes are that the tadpoles continue to grow and our children get to watch the metamorphosis   Once they are frogs (fingers crossed), we will take them back to their lake and set them free.
How rewarding!



Tell me and I'll forget;
Show me and I may remember;
Involve me and I'll understand.
- Chinese Proverb




- AK/RL

3 comments:

  1. I love the "invitation" idea. I tried it for my daughter....I set up an invitation for my daughter (age 3 - 40 months) to play grocery store. She has a desk, so i put some recycled food boxes (mac and cheese, pasta, etc.) on it along with a plastic grocery bag and a paper grocery bag. Needless to say it was a success! My mom got her a play cash register, so now it just adds to the fun! Love your ideas...Thank you! :-D

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  2. ah...frogs. We had so much as children collecting tadpoles and raising them - I can't wait until my daughter is old enough so I can start all over again!

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  3. This is a great idea. I would suggest you make 100% sure the eggs ARE frogs. My sister found a blob of "frog eggs" (she isn't sciency at all) and got out an old fish tank to put them in so her kids could watch them grow into frogs. It was an epic fail when they turned into mosquitoes in the house. (I still get a little chuckle out of it.)

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