Area 4 Specialist Science​ Block 4, Wed 21

March

This morning we discussed these steps we take when working in science:

● Making observations - gathering information
● Drawing inferences - working out things from what you have observed
● Putting evidence together and using it (and knowledge you may have) to explain
● Critiquing each other’s evidence

In this afternoon’s lesson “LEARNING TO SEE” you and a partner will make observations,
draw inferences, explaining and critiquing each other’s explanations:

1. Study the photograph of the Maud Island frog

2. Make observations about it on a sheet of refill - ensure you notice at least 5 things
about this frog.

3. Now do some research on the Maud Island frog to find out how special it is!
Make brief notes about it. Include things like where it lives (habitat and place),
adaptations it has undergone to survive there, etc

4. Take another ​informed​ look at the frog and see what else you can add to your list of
observations and some inferences, too?
 5. Using your observations and inferences compare regular frogs with native NZ frogs -
how are they different?
Use your inferences and you & your partner’s research to think of why they are
Different. How many ways can you find?

6. Draw up a table on a google doc (like the one below) to record what you have
observed and give explanations as to why NZ frogs are different from other frogs.
Record these differences in a table like this:

Heading: ​ ​Comparing regular frogs with NZ native frogs

Feature Regular frogs NZ native frogs

Eyes Describe their eyes Describe their eyes

Explain why they have ... Explain why they don’t have …

Description Describe

Explain why frogs need this Explain why NZ native frogs don’t need
adaptation this adaptation

Critique of evidence by ______________________ & _______________________

7. When each pair has completed their comparison find another pair to share your
findings of the features and the differences you observed, inferences you have made
and explanations you have come up with in your table.

8. Critique each other’s findings/evidence.

Do you agree with their observations? Inferences? Explanations?
Can you add to your observations/inferences/explanations?
Do you need to modify any of your ideas?
 ​ Fill in the last row of the table with this information.​Maud Island suffered an
incursion of mice in 2013, but these were eradicated and the island declared predator-free
[
in November 2016.​

9]​
n 1984–85 100 frogs were transferred by the ​Department of Conservation​ to a different
[1]​
part of Maud Island, successfully starting a new colony.​ Three hundred were
translocated 25 km to Motuara Island in ​Queen Charlotte Sound​ in 1997 – the first time
New Zealand frogs had been translocated between islands.​[10]​ This was more successful
than a 2006 translocation of 100 to nearby Long Island; Motuara contained better habitat
[2]
and frogs there were protected by a kiwi-proof fence.​