Admittedly, I was a little taken back when I heard that AZA named 2008 year of the frog.  I knew frogs were often used as environmental indicators but had no idea that at least one-third of the world’s amphibian population is at risk from habitat loss, pollution and fungal diseases.  As a teacher by heart and trade and a mother of two avid wildlife-lovers, frogs, toads and all sorts of amphibians are one of the easiest ways to engage students in hands-on, inquiry-based activities, because we can start in our own backyards.  My boys loved the Frog Listening Network (FLN) exercises.  While they are both young (5 & 3) they enjoyed matching up the frogs we found with pictures in a book- “two of the same game”.  FLN also gave a phonetic spelling of various frog and toad species’ vocalizations, which were apparently VERY funny to them.  The activities can be customized for nearly all ages.  The kids and I had a blast with them!

-Cathy