A Kindergarten Science Writing Unit on Frogs! NCWP 2013 Annie Darst

Guiding Question: How can I use writing to help students develop a deeper understanding of a frog’s life cycle?

Building Background: Identify the six main types of animals. What is an amphibian? What are the different types of amphibians?

Amphibians… Begin their life in the water Their young have gills and lack legs They hatch from eggs laid in the water Amphibians metamorphose, growing legs and change in other ways to live on land.

Can you identify the four main types of amphibians? Frogs Toads Salamanders Newts

Activity Time! Turn to your partner and tell them what you know about frogs. Be ready to share what your partner said!

Let’s Hear a Story One Frog Sang by Shirley Pareteau

Discussion Did the story, One Frog Sang by Shirley Pareteau teach us any facts about frogs or was it just a story for fun? Fantasy vs. Realism Literature vs. Informational text How do you know? Turn to your neighbor and tell them what you think.

Let’s organize it! KWL Chart KnowWant to KnowLearn Frogs can be green. They like to hop. They can swim. They eat food. Frogs are animals. They have legs.

Frogs by Gail Gibbons

Short Clip Life Cycle of a Frog! Source: Youtube

Sequence Activity Name and sequence in the correct order the stages of a frogs life. With a partner write and label each stage.

Group time! In your group, please discuss the life cycle phase your group is responsible for. Draw a picture and write to tell about it on a poster to share with the class. You may only discuss the stage you are given!

Student Samples Let’s check it out

Let’s take a look at Toads American Toad

Let’s list some facts. In your think book, list some facts you learned about toads based on the article. Share it with your neighbor. What was the most interesting fact. Remember facts are what is true about something, opinions are how something makes us feel.

Compare/Contrast FrogsToads

Let’s write an informed opinion. Which do you like best? Frogs or Toads

Graphic Organizer Use the Graphic Organizer to write your opinion on frogs and toads. Give 2 reasons why based on facts you know. Briefly restate your opinion. Student Samples

Wrap it up. Students shared their opinions with the class by reading them out loud on the class microphone.

The End Any questions or comments?