Totally Toads Lesson Plan

General Information                                                    

Title of Lesson  -  TOTALY TOADS

This lesson integrates science and technology to teach children about animals.  The animal that is the focus of this lesson is the toad.

Primary Learning Outcome(s) (PLO)

A.  The student will use the computer to find information about toads.
B.  The student will identify characteristics of toads.
C.  The student explain how the toads eat, and list the foods it likes to eat.
D.  The student will use the mouse and point to pictures and words on the web site to find information about toads.

CHART REVIEW ACTIVITY As the teacher goes through each section of the web page,  children are asked to recall information they learned about the animal. The teacher records the information on chart paper using colorful markers.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY   Students will create a picture of a toad in its natural habitat on a piece of construction paper.  They will use supplies such as paper and glitter pieces, pom-poms, crayons, markers, glue, sticks, etc.  

Related Bright from the Start Standard(s) or QCC Standard(s)

Materials and Equipment

List of Web Site Titles and  URLs  used in the web page

                The Frogs and Toads of Georgia:
                http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/GAFrog.Toad.html

                Toads at Nature Haven:
                http://www.naturehaven.com/Frog/toad.html

               Toad Homes for the Garden:
                http://www.elucinda.com/toadhouses.html

                A Frogs Life:
                http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/programs/a_frogs_life/fl-2.html

                Muppets - Tadpole Video:
                http://youtube.com/watch?v=hkylsMqYXtA

                Google Pictures of Frogs and Toads:
                http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&q=frogs+and+toads+

                Toad Vs Frogs Biology:
                http://www.toadilytoads.com/toadbiology.html

Technology Connection

This is a computer-based activity. Children will work in a small group with the teacher who will show them the web page that he or she developed on the animal.  The children will find information based on questions developed by the teacher, which are related to each of the web sites. 

Procedures

   Step One: Introduction
      Before showing the children your web site ask a quick question to find out what they may already know:

    "Have you ever seen a toad?"

    "What are some things you know about toads?"

    "Let’s go to my web site to find out more."

     Estimated Time: (1-3 minutes)

   Step Two: Teaching the Primary Learning Outcome(s).

   Go through each section and review the web sites.  Remember that young children have shorter attention spans, so
   highlight information from the web sites that relate to the questions you are asking. 

   Allow children to take turns using the mouse to point to pictures and clicking on links to find new information.

    Go to the web site and show the children your page.

          Section 1

              The Basics about Toads
                 Questions


                                                                                            "What do toads look like?"

                                                                                             "What do toads sound like?"
              http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/GAFrog.Toad.html               
                    http://www.naturehaven.com/Frog/toad.html

               Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions. 
                You may also want to introduce the physical example at this time to demonstrate the physical features of a toad.

    Check for understanding before going on to the next section by doing an informal review.  As they give you the     answers,write them on the charts in brief phrases or sentences.

           Section  2

                A Toad's Home and Meals
                              Questions
   

                   "What do toads eat?"

                     "Where can toads live?"


                   "Do you think toads can live at your home?  Where?  Why?"
               http://www.naturehaven.com/Frog/toad.html

               Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions.

           After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned.  As they tell you the
           nformation, write it on the chart.

           Section 3

             Why Gardeners like Toads



                    Questions

                    "How do toads help gardens?"



                    "How can you attract toads to your garden?"




                    http://www.elucinda.com/toadhouses.html

                Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions.

           After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned.  As they tell you the
           information, write it on the chart.

           Section 4

               Growing Toads
            Questions


                "What do tadpoles (baby toads) look like?"




                "What happens to tadpoles as they grow?"

                http://www.cwmb.sa.gov.au/kwc/programs/a_frogs_life/fl-2.html
                http://youtube.com/watch?v=hkylsMqYXtA
     
                Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions.

           After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned.  As they tell you the
          information, write it on the chart.

          Section 5

               Toad or Frog



                Questions

                "How are frogs and toads the same?"


                "How are frogs and toads different?"

                http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&q=frogs+and+toads+
                http://www.toadilytoads.com/toadbiology.html

               Students will take turns finding information by pointing and clicking on links to find answers to the questions.

           After each section review the information BRIEFLY with them about what they learned.  As they tell you the
          information, write it on the chart.

    Estimated Time: ( 20 minutes)

    Step Three: Closure

         After going through the five sections of web sites and completing the chart, read the information about that they dictated.
         This will help the children review and remember things that they thought important and interesting about the animal.

         Estimated Time: (3 minutes)

    Assessing the Primary Learning Outcome

The students will create a picture of a toad in its natural habitat on a piece of construction paper.  They will use supplies such as paper and glitter pieces, pom-poms, crayons, markers, glue, sticks, etc. to make each toad unique.  Then, we will tape the pictures to our large toad habitat poster.

ASSESSMENT:  Attached is a copy of a rubric for use by the teacher

You will be evaluating the students by observing them and rating their ability to demonstrate knowledge by their responses or by the hands-on product they completed.  Include a separate rubric for each student in the group.  Complete the rubric as the students are working or after they have completed the assignments.

Plan for Early Finishers

Students who complete their activity will be allowed to go back to the computer and click on the web sites of their choice while the others complete their work. 

Accommodation

This activity is a small group activity; therefore, the teacher will be able to help students with special needs by repeating information several times to clarify information.  The teacher will also be able to assist students in developing fine motor skills by helping students as they use glue, pencils, crayons, scissors, etc.