4.1. THOSE AWESOME AMPHIBIANS
(Level: 4 : 6 : 7 : 10 acad : 10 appl : 11 acad : 11 appl : 12 acad :: Ontario Amphibians)

Purpose: To recognize the habits, habitats, and geographical distributions of amphibians found in Ontario.

What You Need: research material :: large map of Ontario :: paint and/or markers

What You Do:

1. With the class, write an inventory of all the amphibians they know in Ontario (there are 21 in total).
2. After the students have compiled a list, add the remaining amphibians not mentioned.
3. Obtain or construct a large map of Ontario, labelling landmarks such as major bodies of water and cities.
4. Divide the class into working groups of 2 - 4 students. Each group will research 2 amphibians (it's a good idea to research all 21 amphibians). Have each group devise a list of places where they can obtain research material. Discuss as a class, the list of sources to ensure everyone knows where to obtain information. (Suggested resources appear in the Appendix)
5. When the groups have obtained their research material, they should include the following information on their amphibians:
   • its common and scientific name (and what it means)
   • its habits
   • its habitat (summer and winter)
   • its food requirements
   • its ecological role
6. Each group should include a painting or coloured sketch of the amphibians in their natural habitat.
7. Using the information on the large map of Ontario, the students can devise their own range maps for each amphibian by colouring in its geographical distribution.
8. When the research, sketch, and map is completed, each group can present their research to the class, and then the 21 amphibians can be displayed around the classroom.

Questions:

1. Discuss reasons why some amphibians have such a widespread geographical distribution while others have limited geographical distributions.
2. In which areas are most amphibians founds?

Click here to see the answers to these questions.
Click here to go back to the list of activities for this unit.