After learning about mammals, birds, and insects, first graders are now learning about amphibians.  We have discovered that amphibians have each of the following characteristics: vertebrates, cold-blooded, lay eggs (oviparous), live on land and in water, have smooth and moist skin, can have lungs or gills, and many can breathe through their skin underwater.  As we learn about amphibians, we are focusing more heavily on frogs.  Books read aloud, in pairs, and individually have enabled students to review life cycles and expand their understanding of amphibians.  Comprehension activities have included sequencing events, distinguishing fact from opinion, generating fact and opinion statements, and identifying the main idea and supporting details.  Working in teams or individually, students selected frogs to research. They have been tasked with the following:  determine where in the world the frog lives, describe the frog’s habitat, find out what the frog eats, find the size and weight of the frog, discover how the frog stays safe, and discover interesting facts about the frog.