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frog or toad? how we researched and figured it out

home / science / animals / frog or toad? how we researched and figured it out
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On our way out the door yesterday morning, Maddy spotted a small, dark, warty visitor. Maybe the leprechauns dropped him off, or maybe he got lost on his way to our neighbor’s pond.

frog or toad: how we researched and figured it out | teachmama.com

Whatever the case, finding this little guy gave us a little science-focused research on our otherwise busy day–after Cora’s St. Patty’s Day Walk with a pal, after Maddy and Owen’s school days, and after our own St. Patty’s Day fun.

Figuring out what we had here–frog or toad–made for some fun post-bathtime, pre-bedtime fun.

  • Frog or Toad–Easy Science Research: I have to admit, I have always enjoyed the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel, but I haven’t cracked one open for years and years. I probably should, and maybe the ole differences between frogs and toads would be more fresh in my mind.

But I also know a worthwhile, meaningful, and authentic research topic when I see one, so that’s where I thought we’d take our visit from this little guy today.

Frog and Toad

So while my husband and kids ran around out back after dinner, I Googled ‘frog and toad’ and had some sites ready for Maddy, Owen, and Cora to examine before they hit the sack.

I pulled up the pictures we took of our visitor once I had three clean kiddos in jammies, and I said, Okay, here’s our little guy. Let’s take a good look at him before I show you the pictures I found on the internet. What do you notice about how he looks?

They commented on his three toes, his bumpy skin, and his big, bulging eyes.

I asked how he felt when we touched him, and Owen said, His skin was kind of like dry skin.

frog or toad: how we researched and figured it out | teachmama.com

Then I said, I just typed in ‘Frog and Toad’ on this search engine, and lots of sites came up that might have answers for us. I pulled up Frogs and Toads site, which has two columns with a black and white drawing of a frog and a toad with characteristics of each underneath.

I read the headings and we were all surprised to learn that “all toads actually are frogs.” I went through the list of frog and toad characteristics with them, and we determined that our guy was, in fact, a toad because his stubby body and short hind legs and “warty and dry skin”.

We checked out a pretty basic toad page from botswanagallery.org that had pictures of toads, and the first photo of an American Toad was a pretty clear match.

Then I typed in ‘American Toad’, and we came upon some sites that really seemed to lock in our decision that we had an American Toad on our hands. The Eastern American Toad, according to Choosing Voluntary Simplicity site, seemed to be a match for our guy. The pictures on this site are great, and the information about the fact that toads like cool spots and hibernate underground in the winter made us wonder if he was sleeping near our front garden for the past few snowy months.

The next thing I knew, we were tired of reading about frogs and then Maddy asked me to search about whether ‘wild animals were friends’ and then, ‘what animals do in the wild’. I typed in her first question, and I realized that another day (and at an earlier time) we’d talk about the best ways to search for information on the web. But she’s little, and she has time for that kind of lesson down the road. . .

I found tons of sites with information on frogs and toads. Here are some that may be of value:

  • National Wildlife Federation: (fyi, I LOVE, love this site) Talk about a valid source of information on just about any animal–if you want to identify the wildlife in your neighborhood, they have your answers.

You can print a Wildlife Watch List for your state, which I did, and which I really believe will make our ‘nature walks’ that much more exciting this spring and summer. Check out their article on how to ‘dote’ on toads and how to host a party for our froggy friends.

  • SCORE (Schools of California Online Resources for Educators): Tons of information is assembled here for teaching about frogs and toads. I totally plan to revisit this site and use some of what these talented educators have gathered.
  • Center for Environmental Education: Also a boatload of information for educators about teaching frogs and toads. If you click on A Thousand Friends of Frogs, you’ll find classroom resources as well.

And that’s it for our big toad research. He was still there today, so we’ll keep an eye on him and make him feel at home in our front garden.

If anyone thinks we made an error here, please let me know! I’m no scientist–I’m just a mom trying to sneak in a little bit of learning each day!

Thanks for subscribing to teachmama! Have a good one!

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About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

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Celebrate, we will! โ€˜Cause life is short but sweet for certain. . . 

What a weekend. So incredibly proud of all of these talented athletes!

๐Ÿ† 3rd in the state of Maryland for @sherwoodcheerleading ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿค

UMD Womenโ€™s Basketball won todayโ€” great job by @marylandcheer โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค

#lovethesegirls #cheerweekend #marylandlife #lifeinmaryland #moco
View
Open
This Sugarfina Advent Calendar is what your teens want. 

$33 shipped TO YOUR DOOR w my 10% off and FREE SHIPPING!

Normally itโ€™s $60! 

I have been sharing my fave, super-COOL, Advent Calendars for teens and adults in my stories today!

This one right here was ours from last year, and we โค๏ธ LOVED it!

It is made by @sugarfina and each day we were surprised with FABULOUS sweet treats! 

Good-bye to the ole, crappy, tinfoil chocolates. Weโ€™re taking fun, new, and different candies each day of the month!

Grab it here: zulily.gfpv.net/MX9Ngn

#linkinbio @zulily #adventcalendars #adventforteens
View
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Hey #MoCo Voters, Itโ€™s #ElectionDay2022! 

Do you need a ride to the polls? If you do, @VOTE411 and @lyft has got you covered! 

So, #NoExcuses. Get out there and make your voice heard!

#VotePlan #VoteReady #expectus #MomsDemandAction #appleballot #MCEA
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Get out and VOTE. 

Please. 

Not sure where to vote? https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

#midtermelections #getoutandvote๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ #linkinbio
View
Open
Did you have a chance to join my IG live today?

It was a rainy, gross Sunday here in Maryland, and I shared one of my top picks for the holidaysโ€”> LEGO but for BIG KIDS. 

Or GRANDPARENTS. 

Or PARENTS. 

Actually ANY grown-up who likes to unplug once in a while and CREATE. 

I showed how I was doing with the LEGO Flower Bouquet (๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’๐ŸŒผ) and how many other awesome sets are 15% off and FREE SHIPPING (yayyyyy!!) over on @zulily ๐Ÿ’œ. 

Check it out. Theyโ€™ve got a ton of sets to choose from, like 
Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, Disney, Mario Brosโ€”you name it. 

Find them here: https://zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

Fab prices + free shipping = BIG WIN. 

#linkinbio #ad #LEGOforgrownups #everyonelovesLEGO #holidaypicks
View
Open
LEGO at 15% off and FREE SHIPPING! 

Check out the AWESOME set that is PERFECT for teens, grandparents, and ANY grownup who likes to create! 

This bouquet will last forever!

๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ’

Use this link โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/jWqkmn

#bestgiftsforkids #grandparentgifts #ad #LEGOforgrownups @zulily
View
Open
WHAT HAS ARRIVED FROM @zulily !?

Since Zulily carries such a vast array of items, it could be ANYthing: 

๐Ÿ’œ boutique-style clothes or shoes

๐Ÿค brand-name clothing & shoes

๐Ÿ’œ toys

๐Ÿค books or magazines 

๐Ÿ’œ pantry items, snacks, & treats

๐Ÿค haircare or cosmetics 

๐Ÿ’œ pet toys, treats, or accessories 

๐Ÿค personalized gifts

๐Ÿ’œ houseplants, seeds, or bulbs

๐Ÿค basics for kids through adults

๐Ÿ’œ craft supplies and kits

๐Ÿค furniture or home goods

๐Ÿ’œ designer handbags, sunglasses, or belts

๐Ÿค luxury items and gifts

๐Ÿ’œ sports equipment 

๐Ÿค sports gear for ALL fansโ€”NFL, MLB, NCAA, you name it

๐Ÿ’œ small appliances & kitchen items

๐Ÿค towels, sheets, blankets, linens

๐Ÿ’œ home storage & organization items

๐Ÿค coats, hats, scarves 

๐Ÿ’œ just about anything you can imagine!

Follow my stories for the deals and steals for families and educators, or check the Zulily Highlight!

Especially nowโ€”as we move into the exciting holiday seasonโ€”I will more frequently share items, and they will MOVE QUICKLY! 

So make sure you are checking in regularly, and pleaseโ€”if you are looking for specific items and a specific price point, let me know! 

I am happy to do some research to help you out!

๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ’œ

#zulilypartner #linkinbio #ad #holiday #giftgiving bestgifts

Want to check it out for yourself? zulily.gfpv.net/teachmama
View
Open
๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸฅ๐ŸŸฉ๐ŸŸจ

THE best toy for kidsโ€”and classrooms!โ€”is on sale right now. 

The 101-piece PicassoTile Building Set (WITH CARRYING CASE!)
is only $34.99 on Zulily WITH an extra 15% off!

Stock upโ€”think: teachers, daycare providers, classrooms!
AND birthdays, holidays or rainy days!

This is a toy that I cannot recommend highly enoughโ€”perfect for littles through elemor middle school. 

From a tween I know and love: The *click* of the magnetic blocks is so satisfying, and honestly, theyโ€™re just really fun and relaxing to use. 

๐ŸŸฆ๐ŸŸช๐ŸŸง๐ŸŸฉ

hereโ€™s the link that will get you AN ADDITIONAL 15% off โ€”> zulily.gfpv.net/JrDdbE

And remember: FREE SHIPPING ON orders of $89+

#ad #linkinbio #besttoysforkids #dealoftheday

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