Amphibians Unit | Material ideas | Lesson Plan – Activities for Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade

This month in our classroom we are going to explore the amazing world of Amphibians.

What are Amphibians?

Amphibians are a group of animals that can live in both water and on land. The word “amphibian” comes from the Greek words “amphi” meaning “both” and “bios” meaning “life”. This name perfectly describes these animals because they can lead two different lives – one in the water and one on land!

Download Amphibian Unit Study Bundle Printable -click here 

  Free Printable  Amphibians Hand-on Activities – click here 

Types of Amphibians: There are two types of amphibians:

1. Frogs and toads: Frogs and toads are some of the most well-known amphibians. They have strong back legs that help them jump and swim. Frogs have smooth, moist skin, while toads have bumpy, dry skin.
2. Salamander: Salamanders look a bit like lizards, but they have smooth moist skin. They can be long and slender or short and stubby. Some salamanders can even regrow lost body parts, like their tail.                                                                                           

   I have made this small booklet of amphibians’ characteristics with pictures to explain what an amphibian is. 

   for example 

   • Amphibians live part of their life in water and part of their life on land.
   • Amphibians are cold-blooded 
   • Amphibians are vertebrates and more …

Introduce types of amphibians: Show pictures of different amphibians such as frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders. Montessori  3-part cards are a great way to introduce different kinds of amphibians.

Discuss the life cycle of an amphibian: Amphibians have a unique life cycle that includes a change in appearance as they grow. They start as eggs laid in water, usually in a jelly-like mass. From the eggs hatch tadpoles or larvae, which look like tiny fish. Tadpoles breathe and swim in water using gills. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs, and their tails shrink. Eventually, they become adults that can live both in water and on land.

 Body parts of amphibians: 

there are two activities  Parts of a Frog and Parts of a Salamander for children to work on.

 Frogs and toads look the same but 

they are different in many ways:

For example, Frogs’ skin looks shiny, smooth, and moist. 

Toads’ skin looks thicker, bumpier, and drier.  

Once they know the difference, you can present frog and toad sorting cards to reinforce what your students have learned.  

What habitat means? 

Based on what your student has learned so far it makes it easy to explain about amphibians’ habitat.

Habitat is like a home for animals where they live and find everything they need to survive, for example, they need water to swim and lay eggs, and also need land for resting and finding food. Young children understand better when you show them pictures while explaining and offering hands-on activities like these “habitat sorting cards.” 

Here are some amphibian-themed language and math activities as well as some worksheets for fun.

Lesson Plan 

Week 1: Introduction to Amphibianshttps:

Objective: Students will be able to identify amphibians and describe their characteristics.

Materials

Characteristics of Amphibians’ booklet

Amphibians 3-part cards (amphibians coloring page)

 Math Activities

Week 2: The life cycle and body parts of amphibians

The life cycle of the salamander (coloring worksheet)

Parts of the salamander (coloring booklet)

The life cycle of a frog (coloring worksheet)

Parts of a Frog (coloring booklet)

Letter sound matching

Week 3: Frogs and Toads

Frog and Toad’s booklet

Frog and toad sorting cards

Frog color matching

Week 4: Amphibian Habitats

Amphibian habitat sorting cards