Why tadpoles?
Amphibians are considered keystone species, since both aquatic and terrestrial factors influence their survival. Students will research the importance of amphibians in a wetland ecosystem.  By incorporating class discussion, students will identify the roles amphibians in general, and frogs in particular, play in a wetland ecosystem.
This summer, I participated in an experiment that investigated the impact of various levels of vanadium toxin on tadpoles' metabolic rates.  I will explain my project to the class using a Power-Point presentation and discuss the research process with my students.
Objectives
1. Students will research the frog's life cycle.
2. Students will research the importance of of studying tadpoles as they relate to environmental health.
 
 
Materials
Raising tadpoles in the classroom
Amphibian roles in the wetland ecosystem information
Procedure
1.  Introduce the importance of amphibians in wetland ecosystems.
2.  Students research amphibians' roles in the wetlands ecosystem.
3.  Students research frogs' roles in the wetlands ecoystem.
4.  Students research metamorphosis of southern leopard frogs.
References
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek//teacher/frogact.htm
http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/frogs/rana.sphenocephala.html
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/southernleopardfrog/
State Standards
1.1.1- The student will recognize that real problems have more than one solution and decisions to accept one solution over another are made on the basis of many issues.
1.5.9- The student will communicate conclusions derived through a synthesis of ideas.
2.5.1- The student will investigate various physical cycles found in the natural world.
3.5.2- The student will analyze the interrelationships and interdependencies among different organisms and explain how these relationships contribute to the stabilty of the ecosystem.
3.5.3- The student will investigate how natural and man-made changes in environmental conditions will affect individual organisms and the dynamics of populations.
6.1.1- The student will demonstrate that matter cycles through and between living systems and the physical environment constantly being recombined in different ways. At least — nitrogen cycle carbon cycle phosphorus cycle (rock/mineral) hydrologic cycle
6.2.2- The student will explain why interrelationships & interdependencies of organisms contribute to the dynamics of ecosystems. At least — Interspecific and intraspecific competition Niche Cycling of materials among organisms Equilibrium/cyclic fluctuations Dynamics of disturbance and recovery Succession: aquatic and terrestrial
Lesson Resources
Raising Tadpoles in the Classroom
Southern leopard frog
Southern Leopard Frogs