Objective: Students will listen to a Native American fable and learn the process of
amphibian metamorphosis. The fable will introduce students to the concept of how
wildlife was highly respected in the Native American culture.
Materials: The "Woman Who Married A Frog" story, paper and pencils, crayons and
scissors, glue, masking tape and cardboard backing, craft sticks and miscellaneous
craft materials, copy of Polly and Bullfrog, frog life cycle and facts
Background: Frogs are an integral part of any healthy wetland ecosystem. In the past
50 years, populations have declined markedly throughout the US. Many scientists
believe the decline can be based on many factors from climatic and atmospheric
changes to habitat destruction (Note: attached is a copy of The Natural Source's
"Northern Leopard Frog" that will give you background on South Dakota's common
The frog, because of its link to water and land, is associated with the magic of both
elements in the Native American culture. Many say the voice of the frog calls the rain,
which makes things grow. Frogs can tell us to get in touch with the element of water,
which is associated with emotions. Frog people are very sensitive to others, and always
know how to act and what to say. The call of the frog is the call of the water, and its
medicine can bring rains to cleanse, to heal, to help things grow. The spring and
summer are power times when frog's voice is strongest. It is a symbol of coming into
one's own creative power, since it is always in touch with water and earth. Frogs are
tuned to sound and teach us to use the voice to stir the emotions and to call for the rains
or change the climatic conditions of our lives.
Read students "The Woman Who Married A Frog" story. Make copies of the picture at
the end of the story and have students color (A suggestion would be to display the
artwork throughout the room to reinforce the Native American topic).
Using the discussion summation at the end of the story, ask the topic questions to the
students to help introduce amphibian metamorphosis.
Have students gather supplies to make the four frog puppets.
Divide class into small groups of four. Hand out scripts for the play. Students should
take a few minutes to read over the script to familiarize themselves with the design
instructions. Encourage students to be as creative as possible. Have each student
design a puppet based on the information in the script. Instruct all groups that each
person in the group will need to decide on which part of the play they'd like to be.
Please note that there are two speaking parts and two non-speaking parts in the play.
Have each group perform their play. If time permits, students could design a "wetlands
set" from which to present their creations.
Invite a Native American friend to your class to discuss their history and culture. Read
additional Indian legends and listen to Indian music.
Visit a wetlands and collect a small number of frog or toad eggs. Keep, care for and
observe them until they hatch into larvae. Raise the larvae to the froglet stage and study
them as they grow. Then set them free.
Contact a local wildlife refuge which maintains a healthy wetlands ecosystem. Arrange a
tour of the wetlands and invite a wildlife biologist to accompany your class. Encourage
the biologist to help students recognize amphibians and the various stages of
metamorphosis that are identified during the nature walk.
Amphibian: A cold-blooded, smooth-skinned vertebrate of the class Amphibia that
characteristically hatches as an aquatic larva with gills
Bullfrog: An adult frog
Froglet: The stage in a frog's development whereby it develops lungs and begins to
breathe in air directly
Metamorphosis: A series of distinct stages in the development from egg to adult
Pollywog: Another name for tadpole
Tadpole: The immature aquatic stage of amphibians when a frog is legless and propels
itself by means of a tail
Activity adapted from Keeper's of the Animals
Reading, Social Studies, Visual Arts
SD Standards for 4th grade:
4.R.1.1; 4.R.1.2; 4.R.3.1; 4.R.4.1
Standard 1; Standard 2; Standard 3
Observation, Analyzing, Interpreting,
Prior Preparation: To set the stage,
teach students the Frog Chant and
have a small discussion about Native
American culture. Educator may also
want to lead a discussion about frog
habitat and wetland destruction. Have
students review the pictures of the
tadpole, polliwog and frog and discuss
the life cycle of amphibians. If
Wetlands To Go trunks are available,
have students play "Amphibia Trivia"
to become more familiar with the topic.
amphibian, bullfrog, froglet,
metamorphosis, pollywog, tadpole