The Frog Scientist

The Frog Scientist

Scientists in the Field Series

By Pamela Turner

Photos by Andy Comins

Houghton Mifflin, 2009

ISBN  #978-0618717163

Nonfiction

Ages 9-12

64 pages

*The Frog Scientist is nominated for a Cybil award in middle grade/ YA nonfiction.

 “Tyrone didn’t worry about chemicals in the water when he was younger. He just liked to wade in it. ‘My neighborhood was near a swamp full of frogs, snapping turtles, and snakes,’ recalls Tyrone. ‘My interest in them started when I was four or five. I tell kids, if there is something you like doing, stick with it!’”

     Starting with a lively, early morning frog-catching session with his students and own son and ending with questions about the impact pollution has on humans, this book traces the work and research Harvard graduate Tyrone Hayes has done with frogs and environmental pollution.     

     Studying the effect of pesticides on frogs, atrazine in particular, he has documented the fragility and changes in the frog population resulting from pollution in our environment. His research following the scientific method is clearly shown in the text and photos and allows the scientific process to come to life.

     Beautiful photographs of the frogs, his students, and his experiments follow the text and add fascinating documentation to the book’s information. A glossary, page of featured toads and frogs, a website list of further information, and an index make up the back matter. This is a book that unfolds its information and provides fascinating detail about field biology and practical applications. The book is exceptional.

Activity 1

For the younger students, look at the pictures from the book and discuss the differences they see among all the frogs and toads. An explanation of the difference between frogs and toads can be found on p.53.

Activity 2

Using the photograph on p.23, discuss the life cycle of the frog and the meaning of amphibian on p.13. Use the life cycle to illustrate why amphibian is a good choice of names for this group of animals.

Activity 3

For older students, design a hypothetical experiment following the scientific method that might involve frogs. Since most districts have a no harm policy for live animals, don’t actually carry out the experiment. Plan and make predictions to familiarize the students with the designing of the experimental process.

The Frog Scientist was nominated for a Cybils award.

Learn more about frogs here.

See this summary about the significance of frogs in the environment.

This site has great links for elementary age students.

Read more about Tyrone Hayes.

National Science Standard: organisms and their environment

 

Book provided by publisher after author contacted me.