Lesson Plan

Spotted Salamanders (Second Grade)

Spotted Salamander metamorphosis
Three spotted salamanders undergoing metamorphosis along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
NPS Photo

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Grade Level:
Second Grade
Subject:
Biology: Animals
Duration:
50 minutes or more
Group Size:
Up to 36
Setting:
classroom
National/State Standards:
Science: 1a, 1e
Life Science: 3a, 3c, 3d, 3e

Vocabulary

Salamander, gills, cold-blooded, larva

Overview

Discuss the life history of salamanders with students using photo from books, the internet or the drawings provided. The students will learn that spotted salamanders live in their neighborhoods (see range map) and along the Natchez Trace Parkway.  Option: Have the students do the Spotted Salamander Life Stages work sheet.

Objective(s)

Enduring Understanding: Animals are adapted to survive in their environment. 

Essential Question: What are the characteristics of an amphibian?

The students will:

1) Learn the life cycle of the spotted salamander

2) Learn where the spotted salamander lives

3) Learn the life needs of the spotted salamander.

Background

Spotted Salamanders like most other amphibians lay their eggs in water and live their adult lives on land. Salamanders and lizards are basically different because salamanders lay eggs in water and juveniles metamorphose and lizards lay eggs on land and juveniles are precocious (see attached for more information).

Materials

1.) "Salamander" travel kit containing:

a. Book :Big Night for Salamanders" by Sarah Marwil Lamstein

b. Laminated sheets with salamander life stages

c. Plastic models of salamander

2.) Spotted Salamander booklet for each student

3.) Photos of spotted salamanders at different life stages or the life stages worksheet Option: Picture of frog tadpole

4.) Salamander Life Stages Worksheet

5.) Salamander Life Stages Answer Sheet

6.) Teacher Information Sheet

Procedure

Student Task: Look at the spotted salamander pictures provided by the teacher. Draw a picture to illustrate the words on each page.

Student Instruction:

1.) Students will participate in a class discussion about the needs and characteristics of the spotted salamander.

2.) Students will then draw pictures to illustrate the pages in the booklet, "The Spotted Salamander".

3.) On the range map, the student may also color in the state where the student lives. Option: Spotted Salamander Life Stages worksheet put numbers or short descriptions on the line under the drawing.

4.) Students will look a the spotted salamander photos provides and draw a picture to illustrate the words on each page.

Teacher Closure: Tell students that salamanders are similar to frogs because frog lay eggs in the water too. Ask the students if they have ever seen tadpoles. Explain that a frog tadpole starts with only back legs and a salamander larva starts with only front legs.

Assessment

Participation in discussion. Assess if the students illustrated the booklet appropriately.

Park Connections

The Natchez Trace Parkway have spotted salamander populations.

Extensions

The teacher may introduce the students to the concept that the salamanders have trouble crossing the roads. When they go to lay their eggs, they are often run over by cars. They do not know to look both ways before they cross the street.