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Thursday, April 7, 2011

amphibians

In our continued study of animal adaptations and environments we focused on amphibians this week.

We discussed the difference between toads and frogs. We reviewed how bright colors indicate to a predator that the animal may be poisonous to eat. Can you see the red on this fire-bellied toad?

We observed tadpoles 
and completed a life cycle diagram
We discussed the environment amphibians need and how to tell a lizard from a salamander. 
Do you know how to tell?
This arboreal salamander was not cooperating for my picture.

We also went on another nature walk in our outdoor classroom and saw this Gulf Fritillary which one of my cuties reminded us was an example of mimicry (orange color suggests it is poisonous even though it isn't really.) Yes, this firstie really used the word mimic. One of the joys of teaching at a science school!

Only 1 more day until Spring Break. I can make it...I think.

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4 comments:

  1. I like the how to tell the difference between a lizard and a salamander. :)

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  2. Last year I had tadpoles that laid hatched in the water on top of my swimming pool cover. I took them into school and put them in an aquarium. The kids went bonkers over them. They changed into toads pretty quickly, so we walked them to the creek by our school and let them go. It was the best thing we did all year long. This year we are going to have butterflies!

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  3. Thanks for sharing the differences between salamanders and lizards. My son loved it. Next week week are getting some newt eggs. I wonder if we can make a chart showing the differences.

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  4. Where can you buy salamanders and newts and tadpoles, if you know? Do they sell them at Petsmart? And I'm hoping that isn't a dumb question!! LOL But I know kids would love seeing them live in the classroom! pattiesclassroom.blogspot.com

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