Sorry for the late and shorter post for this term. I'm a bit over occupied at home right now, but so happy spring is finally here! It's been a record breaking winter with the polar vortex cold twice(?!) and 40 inches of February snow! Amazing. Minnesota, you've outdone yourself.
Now just today I heard frogs in SW Rochester :) Glory Be.
(Look at this beautiful print I found by Maria Sibylla Merian! )
For parent preparation, start with reading the section "amphibians" in The HONS on page 170.
Make sure to take time every week to talk about amphibians, notice amphibians, journal amphibians. For those with younger ones, Quarry Hill Nature Center has some frogs, toads, and maybe salamanders you get see close up through the aquariums. Also, if you head to the quarry this time of year, its full of frogs and tadpoles! Consider snatching some tadpoles and see if you can raise them! There is a fun book that might help you out here. The HONS also takes you through caring for tadpoles and toads at home. (disclaimer: You might want to check with the folks at the desk first. As of a few years ago, they didn't mind.) . Read some of the questions in the HONS. Perhaps some might be applicable when discussing amphibians with your children.
Extra read aloud ideas:
Lets Read and Find Out Why Frogs are Wet and From Tadpole to Frog
Reptiles and Amphibians trail guide by Herbert Spencer Zim
Among the Pond People by Clara Dillingham
A First Look at Frogs, Toads and Salamanders By Millicent Selsam
About Amphibians: A Guide for Children by Cathryn Sill
All About Frogs by Jim Arnosky
Bufo: The Story of a Toad by Robert McClung
Face to Face with Frogs by Mark Moffett
Frogs by Gail Gibbons
Growing Frogs: Read and Wonder by Vivian French
Animal Lives The Frog by Bert Kitchen
Also it's very fun to learn the sounds of different frogs and toads! Just as fun as learning bird songs!
Lang Elliot has many wonderful audio recordings from nature and he has a frog and toad book.
The Frogs and Toads of North America: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification, Behavior, and Calls
Also the DNR is always a good resource to find MN specific information. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/index.html
So far there are a couple specific trips in mind to correlate with the study.
*Tentatively*
Wednesday, April 24th 7pm Eastside WMA with naturalist Jeremy from Whitewater.
Friday, May 3rd Ney Pond/ Nature Center, Henderson, MN (They had an incidence of deformed frogs in the 90's. Here's an article about it. )
Have fun out there and enjoy spring!
Hi Shauna! Where do you get your extra reads? Are you buying them all? I have had very little luck at the library finding good living books... Thanks! Amy Stockton
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I like to buy things I really like used. I have gathered a lot of books over the years at book sales. It's not necessary to have a pile of books, but maybe one or two nice ones to read. Most of your time should be spent in nature observing. Some of the books are free on kindle (Among the Pond People is) or you can interlibrary loan a lot of books. I also noticed in the HONS there are recommendations for books. I'm sure they are older, but that might mean they are easy to find free through archive. It's sad the library has gotten rid of so many good ones!
Delete