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Orienteering to Vernal Pools in Allamuchy State Park – NJ

March 17, 2016

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As part of Iz Turley’s Hardwoodsman challenge, I went out to practice my map & compass navigation skills. My destination was a few wetland habitats within Allamuchy State Park. The wetlands on the map appeared to be perfect locations  for vernal pools and the diversity of species that call them home.

Along the way I found Spring Peepers, Wood Frogs, Spotted Salamanders, Eastern Newts, Fairy Shrimp, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood ducks and much much more including a BEAR SKULL!!!

Black Bear Skull found in Stokes State Forest
Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica
Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer
Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum
Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum
Wood Frog Eggs, Rana sylvatica

 

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

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Crafting Plaster Pond Pals

October 13, 2014

natureintoaction Amphibians - Hop Into Action!, Environmental Ed & Eco-Schools, Nature & Art, Wildlife , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Using field guides, tinfoil and plaster wrap we constructed pond creatures as part of a one-day Frog Pond Science Camp with students in 1st – 3rd grades. We discussed the diversity of creatures that make up the frog pond ecosystem and after reviewing field guides and resource materials campers planned and began work on their own creature. Among their choices were a turtle, snake, salamander, siren, alligator and water boatman.

Plaster covered Tinfoil Creatures
Painted Plaster Red-back Salamander and Waterboatman
Painted Plaster Pond Pals
Painted Plaster Alligator
Painting the Alligator
Plaster covered Tinfoil Salamander

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

Buzz & Hop Into Action – Now Available As E-Book or Bundle!

October 8, 2013

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Buzz & Hop Into Action – Now Available As E-Book or Bundle!

National Science Teachers Association Press

Frog Pond Science, Hop Into Action!

June 8, 2013

natureintoaction Amphibians - Hop Into Action!, Citizen Science, Environmental Ed & Eco-Schools, Seasonal Discovery, Wildlife , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

If I had it my way, exploring a frog pond ecosystem would be mandatory for all students.  The observations and interaction with frogs, dragonflies, cattails, lily pads and so much more make for an incredible learning opportunity every child should experience.  One of the most popular classes that I offer is Frog Pond Science.  For more information, check out the Amphibian Encounter lesson in Hop Into Action, The Amphibian Curriculum For Grades K-4.

Green Frog with Blue Coloration
Green Frog Eggs, Hop Into Action
frog tracks
green frog with vocal sac expanded
ribbon snake in frog pond
Green Frogs. Amplexus (Rana clamitans)
Wood Frog
Frog Pond Metamorphosis Spinner Sign
Frog Pond Habitat, Nature Journal, Hop Into Action
Frog Pond Science, Hop Into Action – Examining Tadpoles

Record your findings at a frog pond for the Citizen Science program FrogWatch USA.   The program helps you to learn about the wetlands in your community and conserve amphibians by reporting the calls of local frogs and toads that you hear.

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

Return to Stokes State Forest Vernal Pools

April 9, 2013

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There are vernal pools I make a point to visit seasonally just to see how they are coming along with the changing of the seasons.  It’s difficult to visit a pool and find it in the same condition as before.  They are always in a state of change, from year to year, month to month, day to day, morning to evening.  I especially enjoy the colors and hues of the woodland forest pools in springtime and find that they make for a few photographs worth sharing.

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

Hop Into Action with Amphibian Slime, Ready in Minutes!

April 7, 2013

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Kids love slime.  Make a batch before they arrive so it peaks their interest when they see it.  Let them examine it and make their own.  When they ask how, tell them they have to gently squeeze ten frogs and slowly drip it out.  They just might believe you, the slime is that gooey.

The easiest way to make a slime is to slowly add and mix water to corn starch until it is the gooey consistency you want.  Add a drop of green food coloring to make it look like it came from an amphibian.  Let the kids play with the amphibian slime and discuss slimy amphibians versus scaly reptiles.  Continue your comparisons using the Free Download of  the LilyPad Venn Diagram lesson in Hop Into Action, The Amphibian Curriculum for Grades K-4.

Frog Slime Ingredients

Frog Slime Ingredients

Frog Slime, Hop Into Action

Step 1: Add Corn Starch

Step 2: Add water slowly and mix.

Step 2: Add water slowly and mix.

Step 3: Add a drop of food coloring.

Step 3: Add a drop of food coloring.

Step 4: Mix again.

Step 4: Mix again.

Step 5: Get Slimy.

Step 5: Get Slimy.

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

Frog Eggs Using Bubble Wrap – Hop Into Action!

October 20, 2012

natureintoaction Amphibians - Hop Into Action!, Environmental Ed & Eco-Schools , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Amphibians can be identified by their physical appearance as adults, tadpoles/larvae and even as eggs.  Using bubble wrap you can create a representation of your local amphibian eggs.

Materials: Bubble Wrap, Permanent Black Marker, Scissors.

Instructions: Cut bubble wrap to represent the type of frog and toad eggs you would like to showcase.  The following four examples are used as part of a frog pond science introductory lesson.

Frog Eggs Represented with Bubble Wrap

Green Frog Eggs Represented with Bubble Wrap. Green Frogs lay eggs in a large floating raft like mass with as many as 5,000 eggs.

Wood Frog Eggs Represented with Bubble Wrap.    The eggs (500–3,000) are laid in round globular masses (3-4 inches wide) attached to submerged vegetation near the surface.

Spring Peeper Frog Eggs Represented with Bubble Wrap. Spring Peepers lay eggs in shallow water singly or in small clusters (2-3 eggs) attached to dead leaves, sticks, and grasses.

American Toad Eggs Represented with Bubble Wrap. American Toads lay their eggs in long strips in the water that may be within vegetation but not attached to it.

Vocabulary: Amphibian, Eggs, Larvae, Tadpole, Polywog, Metamorphosis,Embryos

 References: USGS: A Field Guide to Amphibian Larvae and Eggs & Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools.

For more Amphibian Activities & Lessons check out  my book:

Hop Into Action, The Amphibian Curriculum for Grades K-4 published by the National Science Teachers Association Press.

David Alexander is author of the Buzz Into Action & Hop Into Action Science Curricula.  He specializes in making nature accessible to people and wildlife.  You can follow him at www.natureintoaction.com

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