Lesson Plan
Teacher: Elizabeth Miller
Grade Level: Pre-K, K, 1st
Title: Amazon Rainforest Poison Arrow (Dart) Frogs
Brief History and Background:
The Poison Arrow, or Dart, Frog lives in the Amazon Rain Forest in South America. They are very small, only about half an inch! They come in a variety of bright colors and have spots, stripes, and other markings which help to act as camouflage. The bright colors warn predators away. Their underbellies can have a contrasting color to their backs; these belly colors are called “flash colors” and can be seen by animals as the Poison Dart Frog leaps.
This tiny frog gets its name from the Indigenous Indian tribes which gather the frogs to use their poison. The frogs are placed near a fire until they “sweat” out a gooey substance which the Indians collect and spread on their spear heads, arrow tips, or blowgun darts. This poison makes the weapons very deadly when they are used for hunting.
Standards:
PA Standards:
· 1.6 Speaking and Listening
· 3.8 Science, Technology and Human Endeavors
· 4.8 Humans and the Environment
· 7.1 Basic Geographic Literacy
· 9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts
· 9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts
· 4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions
· 3.3 Biological Sciences
Goal: To make a wax resist, paper Poison Arrow Frog.
Objectives: Students will:
Learn about Poison Arrow Frogs, where they live, and how they got their name.
Develop fine motor skills while tracing and cutting out their frogs.
Create patterns and shapes.
Think about what it would be like to live in the rain forest.
Create a wax resist, paper poison Arrow Frog.
Resource Materials/Visual Aides:
· Pictures of Poison Arrow Frogs
· Pictures of the Amazon Rain Forest
· A world map highlighting South America
· Finished exemplar
Supplies/Materials:
· Green contraction paper
· White watercolor paper
· Oak tag frog-outlines for tracing
· Crayons
· Pencils
· Scissors
· Water Color
· Small water cups
· Brushes
· Glue
· Smocks
Teacher Preparation:
Have all visuals on hand, and materials ready.
Teaching
Introduction:
“Raise your hands if you know what this animal is. (Hold up picture of frog for class) Right! It’s a frog. Has anyone ever seen a frog in real life? Ever Held one? How big was it and how did it feel? What color was the frog you saw? Notice how brightly colored the frog in this picture is is. Here is a map of the world. (Show map) This frog lives in the South American Rainforest, also called the Amazon. Can anyone come up and point to South America? Please raise your hand. This frog is called the Poison Arrow Frog or also the Poison Dart Frog, he gets his name from…..”
Directions:
1. Place frog stencil on white water color paper and trace it with pencil
2. Using crayons, draw stripes, spots, and other small marks on the outline. Make sure to press down gently on crayon so mark is dark. Try not to leave any white spaces in your shapes.
3. Put on smocks
4. Use watercolor and brushes to paint in frog outline. Use bright colors. Paint right over crayon.
5. When paper is dry, cutout frog outline.
6. Glue frog to middle of green construction paper.
7. Using crayon or pencil, draw a large leaf shape around frog, on the green paper.
8. Cut out leaf shape.
9. Using a dark crayon, draw lines on leaf showing stem and veins.
Critique/Evaluation/Assessment:
Allow class to hang up their Poison Arrow Frogs on board. Talk about all the colors, shapes, and patterns. Note all the different interpretations.
Time Budget:
Two 45 minute class periods.
Vocabulary:
· Poison Arrow Frog
· Amazon
· Rain Forest
· South America
· Blow Gun, Dart, Arrow, Spear
· Flash Colors
· Camouflage
· Wax resist
Safety Concerns:
Supervision while cutting with scissors.
Extension:

· Coloring pages for students if they finish project early
· Picture storybooks about frogs for teacher to read to class when students are finished
Bibliography/References:
http://www.prekinders.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_dart_frog
http://www.shoarns.com/Frogs.html
http://www.nashvillezoo.org/blfrog.htm
http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/poison.html
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Treasures/Poison_Dart_Frogs/frogs.html?50
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/amphibians/Poisonfrogstrawbprintout.shtml
http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/learning/animals/reptiles/poison-arrowfrog

http://allaboutfrogs.org/funstuff/coloring/poison.html