Did you know that Ohio has tree frogs? And that when the weather gets cooler, they like to bury themselves in leaf-litter to hibernate until spring’s warmer temperatures? We didn’t know that either until Mrs. O’Toole’s fourth grade class told us all about their impromptu research project and rescue mission. This week's NewsDepth A+ Award goes to Mrs. O’Toole’s class for using their research skills and doing their part to help Mother Nature.
Like many of you, the students at Pattison try to get outside for some fresh air and to take mask-breaks. One morning the class noticed a frog on the wall of the school. Nearly a week later, the students used their science skills and observed that the frog was still on the wall.
“The frog was up there for a long time. We were getting worried he would starve or freeze,” Kadence told us.
“I suggested that we do some research and figure out what kind of frog it was and if it would be ok up on the wall,” Natalie added.
In their research, they were able to identify the frog as a Cope’s Gray Tree Frog and that these frogs, when not in trees or stuck on buildings, hang out in piles of leaves.
“The class did a great job learning about the frog and habitat. They decided to name it Pancake, because it is sort of flat,” explained Mrs. O’Toole.
With some quick thinking, and help from Mr. Meek, the building’s custodian, they were able to rescue Pancake. After a quick ride in a pencil box back to the woods, Pancake took a few hops, and disappeared into a pile of leaves.
After some additional research, they learned that these amphibious acrobats like to climb up the sides of buildings to catch a few moths for a tasty winter treat. The class also learned that they can freeze, thaw, and refreeze all winter long.
This weeks’ NewsDepth A+ Award goes to Ms. O’Toole’s fourth grade class and Mr. Meek at Pattison Elementary School for researching and teaching the NewsDepth team about Pancake the Grey Tree Frog. Great job using those research skills!
Submit your ideas for our NewsDepth A+ segment to newsdepth@ideastream.org for consideration.
