How to:

Level 4

Frogs are the most amazing little creatures that inhabit our earth. “There are approximately 210 species in Australia, but they are in decline as humans are destroying their habitats, and they are being attacked by introduced predatory fish and the ghastly cane toad. Frogs play an integral part of the ecosystem, and due to their sensitivity to pollution and need for clean waterways, they are known as environmental indicators.” (quote: Australian X-ray Kit Animal/Reptile)

The inspiration for these frog pictures came from the Animal/Reptile X-ray Kit.

This activity began with lots of discussion around the body shape, the bends in the leg and the amazing variety of patterns and colours of frogs. A range of books, posters, plastic frogs and magnifying glasses where placed around the tables to capture the student’s interest and to increase their level of awareness and appreciation of these incredible little creatures.

Next students created some quick sketches of the body in different actions then selected their most interesting work and enlarged this image to an A3 sheet of cartridge paper. This image was coloured with pencils and some students selected colours of particular frog species eg: green tree frog. This was also a good opportunity to teach students about shading and tone.

Some students decided to create a background using textured rubbing plates, for a special effect, while others cut it out and glued it onto a sheet of black cover paper.

Next recycled ‘dustcover’ plastic was placed over the top if this image (laminating plastic will do) and the skeleton form was traced over the top using ‘stay anywhere permanent pens’. A photocopy of the frog x-ray image was used as a reference guide for this part of the activity.

Back in the classroom students conducted further research, discovering more information about their particular frog species and this information was printed out and formed part of the overall display.

Evaluation: Discussion around the Following 3 questions and student feedback comment.

* What do we do with these images now?

* How and where will we display them? (school/pet shop/vets/supermarket)

* What information should we include with the display, and why?

Here’s what the students had to say:

‘This Activity was heaps of fun’       

‘I learnt heaps about my frog’

‘Our pictures look really cool’            

‘I really like my frog, it is so cute’

‘Can we do more of that sort of stuff’

Copyright 2007 Zart Art & Zart Education Service