Vernal Pools

Grade: Kindergarten – High School (most lessons can be adapted for various grades. Details are included in the Extension Ideas section of each lesson)

A vernal pool of water in the woods surrounded by trees.This toolkit introduces youth to amphibians found in Maine. It discusses why vernal pools are unique and important habitats and includes materials for in the classroom as well as out. Topics covered in this toolkit include: identification, frog sounds, amphibian life cycles, vernal pool models, and field gear and data sheets to use while exploring an amphibian habitat.

A spotted salamander, brown with yellow spotsItems not included in the kit are listed below:

  • Foul weather gear like boots, raincoats, sunscreen, etc.
  • First aid kit
  • Coloring utensils
  • Computer with internet access

A wood frog. Tan and brown with darker brown markings.Lessons included in this kit:

  1. Activity 1: Build a Vernal Pool

Target Grade: K-8th (extension ideas for older grades)

Learning Targets: 

  • Where do vernal pools form?
  • Name 2 things you would find in a vernal pool to make it successful for amphibians to breed in.
  • Identify environmental stressors that affect vernal pools.
  • Practice collecting data for a vernal pool.

Files: PDF or Word 

 

  • Activity 2: Maine Amphibians

Target Grade: 5th-12th (extension ideas for younger grades)

Learning Targets: 

  • Know the names of a frog and a salamander found in Maine.
  • Practice looking at physical features to identify amphibians they might find in the field.
  • Identify a frog based on its call.

Files: PDF or Word

 

  • Spotted Salamander Life Cycle with illustrations of each step: Eggs, Larva, Larva with Eggs, Juvenile, and AdultActivity 3: Amphibian Life Cycle

Target Grade: K-6th (extension ideas for older grades)

Learning Targets: 

  • What are the different stages an amphibian goes through during its life?
  • What are important habitats that an amphibian needs to survive?

Files: PDF or Word

 

  • Activity 4: Amphibian Camouflage

Target Grade: K – 12th

Learning Targets: 

  • Understand the purpose of camouflage and countershading.
  • Identify an amphibian in Maine that produces a toxin to prevent predators from eating it.
  • Understand that it requires work to camouflage correctly!

Files: PDF or Word

 

  • Activity 5: Maine Amphibian ID Practice 

Target Grade: 1st – 12th

Learning Targets: 

  • Practice comparing physical characteristics to identify species in the field.
  • Practice using the Vernal Pools Maine Amphibian ID guide.
  • Learn key identifying features of Maine amphibians.
  • Understand that it can be difficult identifying species in the field because you cannot always see the whole organism. 

Files: PDF or Word

 

  • Invertebrate ID Card with: Dragonfly Nymph .25 - 2.5 Inches, Springtail .04 - .08 inches Fairy Shrimp .5 - 2 inches Blackfly Larvae .25 - .5 inches Mosquito Larvae .06 - .5 inches, Caddis Fly Larvae .5 - 1 inch Dobsonfly Larvae 2 - 3 inches, Mayfly Larvae .5 - 1 inchActivity 6: In the Field 

Target Grade: K-7th (Activity 10 for older grades)

Learning Targets: 

  • Use prior knowledge from Activities 1-5 to make observations and identify species while in the field.
  • Identify amphibian and invertebrate species using ID guides. 
  • Collect field data about vernal pool and/or amphibian habitats using information learned from previous activities.
  • Practice being a good steward of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Files: PDF or Word

 

  • More activities are included for middle through high school. Files are still being converted for accessibility.  

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logo for the National Science Foundationlogo for Maine Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)This activity is supported by National Science Foundation award #EPS-0904155 to Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine.