Awareness of the variations within a species, and the potential reasons for those variations, lays the foundation for subsequent expansion to the variety of life forms inter-related within a habitat and the niche each occupies. Classifying life forms Students will understand that there are similarities within the diversity of all living things. Ecology Students will understand how living things depend upon one another and on non-living aspects of the environment. Students have collected leaves, admired wildflowers, and examined rocks in the early grades in many of their classes. While their experiences may have varied, selecting a new species, such as frogs, for a classification activity is sure to capture their interest.
Frogs are fun.
Begin by personally reviewing the frog section of Maine Amphibians and Reptiles . Then, supplying each student with a blank chart such as the one below, discuss the various frogs and play an example of the sounds they make. Ask the students to fill in their own charts as you progress. When describing the sound each makes, allow the students to be creative. The observable aspects of classification can be illustrated with field guides.