On a recent hike with some fellow friends of the forest, we observed various flora and fauna. One fauna, in particular, made short work on some flora (you can see where they get the name Busy Beavers!)
Another creature of the forest we came across was the red-legged frog. It was so cool!!
Walking along the trails we heard ample evidence of other frogs’ presence. Speaking of frogs, I recently received a PDF version of Jason Travis’ book 10 Little Frogs to review. With the title you might think the book’s all about counting. Sure there is counting but there’s more too.
READ 10 Little Frogs and let your kiddo enter into a colorfully, illustrated adventure where many things are possible!
The opening poem gives an overview of the story. One night 10 frogs are sprinkled by magic stardust. That causes a transformation—dare I say metamorphosis—where they’re able to each hop into a life of their dreams.
Children, at a fairly early age, begin rote counting. That’s an important 1st step of course! But counting backwards is very important too. It’s the beginning of subtraction. Luckily a lot of song, chants and books use countdowns. 10 Little Frogs start with 10 frogs on a log and countdowns to 0. Adding physical movement can help children learn new things.
“Children more than ever, need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping, and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.”
~ David Sobel
Materials Needed:
Chalk
Sidewalk/blacktop surface
Instructions:
●Draw 5-10 squares
●Number each square
●Let your kiddo begin at start and hop into each square, saying the name of the square as they jump in
●Once at the end, suggest the countdown, hopping the other direction, saying the name as the land in the square.
●As their physical development improves, suggest they hop backwards as they countdown!
| 5 |
| 4 |
| 3 |
| 2 |
| 1 |
start
Did your kiddo like hopping and jumping? Use that chalk and make a hopscotch course!
I love witnessing a child’s imagination at PLAY. PLAY is the perfect vehicle to allow their creativity and innovation to blast-off. Of course, not every child is comfortable being given free rein with materials and PLAY. Ease them into it! The verses in 10 Little Frogs has pretend play as well as PLAY ideas. For example:
-Take the family dog for a walk
-Go for a swim
-Set up a kitchen play
“Fill your Life with adventures, not things. Stories to tell, not stuff to show.” ~unknown~
Did your kiddo notice how each frog chose to do something different? It might be because there are so many different kinds of frogs. There are various kinds of tree frogs; different types of bullfrogs and many, many others. In fact, around 5000 different species! Sadly many are endangered and too many have become extinct. Here are tips for you to do what you can to help frogs in your yard!
“Just like a bee needs a flower, a child needs Nature.” ~Brandi Rondinelli~
Materials Needed:
Various frog pictures (see attached)
Dog picture
Optional:
paper
pencil
Instructions:
●Let your kiddo review the different photos
–ASK: What do they notice that all the frogs have in common? In other words, how are these frogs the same?
(Feel free to document their answers on paper)
●Have them compare a frog to a dog. What is the same/different? Document their answers on paper if you’d like
●Highlight where frogs live
●Share the definition of mammals and amphibians
Amphibians = a class of animals that have 2 phases of life: The 1st part they live in water; the 2nd part on land. They’re cold-blooded creatures (ie., their body temperature matches the surrounding, ambient temperature.) Amphibians lay eggs. Learn about more amphibian characteristics.
Mammals = a class of animals. This class is warm-blooded (ie., they have an internal system that regulates their body temperature). Mammals birth their young (they do not hatch from eggs), feed their babies milk and have hair/fur on their bodies.
●ASK: Do you think frogs are amphibians or mammals? Encourage them to explain their reasoning!
10 Little Frogs ends as it began, with a poem. I loved the positive message! Being with friends, having FUN, making memories, and looking forward to more—now that’s what I call a dream right there! Did I get sprinkled by stardust?!
Focusing on counting*, what the frogs are doing and especially having your kiddo say “Ribbit Ribbit Ribbit” and, therefore, becoming integral to the story-telling makes 10 Little Frogs a worthwhile read.
Yours in PLAY!
Teacher Karen
* Click for more frog-themed counting activities
I spend a lot of time with the books I’m asked to review so I felt extra proud to be chosen for ‘Best Review’
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