"The Icky Sticky Frog Book" A Preschool Frog Lesson Plan & Activities
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We Like Frogs

Frogs are unique in that they start their lives as an egg floating in the water and end up living the rest of their lives on land. The fact that they are unique in this way categorizes them as amphibians. Amphibians are a group of animals that are said to have two lives. It is believed that there are over four thousand different amphibian type creatures on our planet.

Frogs are often times found near standing water or water that doesn’t flow too fast. You won’t find them near the sea or any other salty water areas. They need to live near the cool marshes and ponds because, if they are too warm, they can get into the water to keep cool or, if they are too hot, they can come out of the water to warm up; thus, they have two lives. [1]

These fun facts and more are available for your children to explore within this lesson plan. There are three concepts that are the most basic of knowledge when it comes to these creatures and they are 1.) frogs have sticky tongues, 2.) frogs eat bugs, and 3.) frogs were once tadpoles. Your class will enjoy learning these tidbits about one of the most amphibious creatures alive: the frog.

The Book

“The Icky Sticky Frog” book written by Dawn Bentley is a book that has a tongue that extends when you pull it. The tongue is the most loved feature about the book, and your class will want you to read it over and over.

This book gives them a demonstration of the animal food chain as the frog actually eats the bugs he encounters. But, to his chagrin, he in the end gets eaten, but it is told in a way that is in no way disturbing to its youthful fans.

Reading this book and having the children participate in the activities within this article will teach them fun facts about frogs. The activities are both engaging and enjoyable for the children. They will teach them the most basic in concepts or fun facts concerning the frog.

Book Discussion

You should have circle time with your class in order to discuss this book. You and your class should talk about what they think makes the frog jump.

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Have them demonstrate how a frog jumps. Ask them how the frogs eat their food. Ask them what food do frogs like to eat. Ask them what do frogs look like when they are babies or when they are tadpoles. This is a great time to have actual photos to display giving the preschoolers a visual for their answers.

Leap Frog Game

Line up all the children and have them sit with their heads on the ground; make sure that they cover up their heads to be safe. The last person in line must hop like a frog over ever person in line until they become the first in line while saying ‘ribbit’. This game can be played until the last person in line is last again and the game is over.

Frog Coloring Page

Give the children crayons so that they can color a great depiction of a friendly frog.

Sock Puppets

Materials

You will need to gather:

  • Short, dark green socks for all the children
  • Movable doll eyes
  • Red and green felt
  • Glue
  • Red Velcro
  • Black pipe cleaners
  • Scissors
  • Large markers
  • Small foam balls

Instructions for the Puppet

Cut out two sets of webbed hands and feet for the frog. Cut out a tongue that will hang outside of the mouth with red felt. Help the children glue the eyes, hands, feet, and tongue onto the sock puppet let it dry. Cut a piece of the sticky side of the Velcro and glue it to the frog’s tongue. Instructions for the Bugs: Help the children color the foam balls in whatever color they choose. Push two pipe cleaners through the foam balls and fill the hole with glue. Fold the pipe cleaner legs so that they look like bug legs. Use markers to make their eyes. Glue the soft side of the Velcro to the bugs under carriage.

The game, the discussion, and the sock puppets will all bring your classroom joy while the students learn about frogs. This animal is one of the most amazing and intriguing creatures we have on our globe, being that there all different types on every corner of the globe.

*Editor’s note: Please be aware that this book contains small parts. Supervise young students who are reading this book independently.

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