Exploring our frogs (Years 7-8)

In this lesson plan, students investigate their local frogs to provide context for developing their understanding about biological classification, ecosystem processes and the impact that humans have on the natural environment.

These activities use digital applications such as Melbourne Water’s Frog Census and the Atlas of Living Australia to develop students’ ICT skills. They are also a great way to encourage students to explore, develop their observational skills and to enjoy the natural world around them.

The Frog Census app is a powerful citizen science tool that enables students, their families and the wider community to contribute to understand the biology and distribution of frog species in Melbourne. This information helps us to develop effective policy and management strategies to conserve and enhance these populations.

Download the lesson plan

This lesson plan contains modules explicitly linked to the Victorian Curriculum, as well as meaningful and effective extension activities for frog conservation. To receive free hard copy classroom resources and additional support, email [email protected].

Activities

Activity 1: Finding our frogs

In this activity, students explore the Atlas of Living Australia to identify frogs in the local area, learning how frogs are named and classified using a taxonomic hierarchy. Students pose questions about the distribution of local frog species and answer their questions geospatially using data in the Atlas.

Activity 2: Identifying our frogs

In this excursion or at-home activity, students discover how records are added to the Atlas of Living Australia. They learn how they can be citizen scientists using Melbourne Water's Frog Census app, by submitting frog calls and photos for identification.

Activity 3: Frogs and food webs

Students investigate the organisms and their feeding relationships at the Edithvale Wetlands, and create a food web based on the story of the eastern common froglet. They predict the effect that changes in the environment would have on their food web.

Activity 4: Visualising local frog data

Students investigate how the Atlas of Living Australia stores and visualises biodiversity data. They devise a fictional dataset of frog species in a mythical Melbourne suburb, design a data table in Microsoft Excel and visualise the data using Google My Maps.

Victorian curriculum links

  • VCSSU090: Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations
    Science > Science understanding > Science as a human endeavour
  • VCSSU091: There are differences within and between groups of organisms; classification helps organise this diversity
    Science > Science understanding > Biological sciences
  • VCSSU093: Interactions between organisms can be described in terms of food chains and food webs and can be affected by human activity
    Science > Science understanding > Biological sciences
  • VCDTDI038: Analyse and visualise data using a range of software to create information, and use structured data to model objects or events
    Digital technologies > Data and information

Resources

Frog Census app

Spotted Marsh Frog

Get involved in our community frog monitoring program, and collect data to help us manage frog populations and raise awareness of waterway health issues with our Frog Census app.

Frog Census

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