Download - Juan Daniel’s Futbol Frog Exploring a Frog’s Membrane By: Katherine Norvell Katelyn Gaskins
Juan Daniel’s Futbol FrogExploring a Frog’s Membrane
By: Katherine NorvellKatelyn Gaskins
About Our Book
• Juan Daniel is a young soccer player– Finds a lucky frog in the hot, dry environment at
soccer game– Worries about the life expectancy of frog– Begins to care for animal – Creates a membrane– Frees frog back in natural environment
Overview
• Frog skin and human skin is a membrane– Membranes protect harmful things from getting
inside the body– Allow oxygen and water to get in
Overview, Continued
• Frogs drink through this membrane – Absorb water through their skin
• Some frogs have anti-microbial properties – Skin can fight bacteria and viruses
Overview Continued
• Membrane must allow water to drip just enough to keep the frog moist– Showered vs. Flooded
Try It!
• Design a Model Membrane– Resembled a frog’s skin
Materials
• Clear Plastic Wrap• Small Plastic Bowl• Piece of Wire Mesh• Rubber bands• Tape• Scissors• Sponges• Cotton Balls• Duct Tape• Small Plastic Cup
Engineering Design
• The Try It! Activity was very interesting for an early elementary classroom.
• Could be done whole group not small groups
Try It!
• Membrane Modeling would allow older elementary students to use more of the Engineering Design independently
• Instructions difficult to follow• Spanish language introduced
The Engineering Process
• Ask: How can a frog’s membrane stay moist?• Imagine: How can we create a frog membrane using
household items?• Plan: Brainstorm a list of items needed to create a
successful frog membrane• Create: Create experiment in back• Improve: – Substitute Cotton Balls in bottom– Add a sponge in the clear plastic cup– Rewrite instructions to clarify misconceptions