Not yet registered?

You are now "Test Driving" Teachers' Domain

You may view up to 7 resources in this limited trial period.

You have 6 views remaining. Register now for unlimited free access and to download, share, and save resources. Learn More

Thank you for "Test Driving" Teachers' Domain

You have viewed all seven resources permitted in this limited trial period. You may continue to browse the site, but to view, download, share, and save resources, you must register now. Registration is simple, safe, and free.

First time here?

As a user, you may browse Teachers' Domain and view as many resources as you wish without registering.

However, for access to all of the features of Teachers' Domain, we'll need a little more information. Learn More

About Registration:

Registering with Teachers' Domain is FREE and allows you to:

View as many resources as you like
Save, sort, and share resources using My Folders and My Groups
Download resources to your desktop
See standards correlations for your state

For more information:

Learn about our online Professional Development Courses, or review our Privacy Policy.

If you still have questions, please contact us.

Frogs

Resource for Grades 1-4

| Citation

Media Type:
Video

Running Time: 2m 15s
Size: 1.7 MB

SAVE TO FOLDER
Share |

Source: LOOP SCOOPS

This media asset comes from LOOP SCOOPS.

Resource Produced by:

Collection Developed by:

Collection Credits

Collection Funded by:

Major funding for LOOP SCOOPS is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Although the information in these materials has been funded in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 83447601 to WGBH, it may not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Related Resources:

Garbage
(Video)

Happiness
(Video)

Juice Boxes
(Video)

Magazines
(Video)

Nowhere to Hide
(Interactive)

In this animated video from LOOP SCOOPS, a sphinx asks a boy named Ben whether it's good or bad to buy an African clawed frog in a pet store and then release it into a pond. Ben initially decides that setting the frog free is a good idea. But after some consideration, he decides that invasive species of frogs may "wreck the place," tipping an ecosystem out of balance.

Permitted use:

Download and Share

Accessibility Features: Caption

Background Essay

An invasive species is a non-native species, like kudzu or zebra mussels in the United States, whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to ecosystems. Approximately 42 percent of threatened or endangered species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species.

One example of an invasive species that is devastating ecosystems is the Asian Longhorned Beetle, a species native to China. It was first discovered in the United States in New York State in 1996, and has also been found in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The beetles cause damage by tunneling into the trunks and branches of trees, weakening and eventually killing them. The reason they are doing so much damage is that the predators that control their numbers in China are not found in these American ecosystems.

This pest attacks a wide variety of hardwood trees, particularly maples, and is considered a serious threat to the lumber, wood products, maple syrup, and tourism industries. If it became established over a large area, it could also significantly disrupt the forest ecosystem. The only way to treat an infestation is to cut down the affected trees. So far, over 1,550 trees have been cut down and destroyed to eradicate the beetle from Chicago, as well as 6,000 trees in New York, 18,000 trees in Massachusetts, and almost 23,000 trees in New Jersey.

Printer Friendly Version of Background Essay

Print Background Essay

Teaching Tips

Here are suggested ways to engage students with this video and with activities related to this topic.

Viewing the video: Use the following suggestions to guide students' viewing of the video:
- Before: Ask students to raise their hands if they have ever had a pet. Tell students that they are going to watch a video about a boy named Ben who learns a surprising thing about pet frogs.
- After: Ask students how their pets differ from Ben's pet frog. Discuss why it isn’t a great idea for Ben to set his frog free in the pond. Ask students if they are aware of any invasive species living in their communities. (Students may be familiar with widespread or widely publicized species like zebra mussels or kudzu.) Why might invasive species hurt local lakes or forests?
Connecting to subject areas: In the classroom, identify—with photographs or a living example—one invasive plant species that grows in your area. (The USDA National Invasive Species Information Center has extensive information on invasive species.) Lead students on a scavenger hunt through the schoolyard to look for this plant, and help remove it!
Doing research projects—groups: Have students research and create an inventory of plants found on the school grounds or on a particular plot. Which are native? Which are invasive? (NOTE: This will require some research to learn which species are invasive and which are not. The USDA National Invasive Species Information Center has extensive information on invasive species.)
Connecting to subject areas: Help students develop a plan to increase the percentage of native species in the schoolyard. Creating a butterfly garden or other habitat native to the region can create opportunities to study an ecosystem through several seasons, as well as encourage the growth of native species.