CLOSED TASK, SELF ASSESSMENT/REFLECTION

Lesson: Anatomy (Frog Dissection)

Grade/subject: 8th grade/ Life-Science
Duration: 6 class sessions

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Objective:
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:

CLOSED TASK, SELF ASSESSMENT/REFLECTION

Identify the major organs of a bullfrog

Compare and contrast the anatomy of the frog to that of a human
Understand how the organs interact in body systems that carry out every day functions (ie.
respiratory, circulatory, digestive, reproductive, etc)
Explain the life cycle of a frog
Demonstrate safe and proper use of laboratory equipment and dissection tools
Work collaboratively with small and large groups
Compare the virtual frog dissection and actual frog dissection to the information gathered from
the text book

Procedure:
Day 1:
Students will be introduced to the topic of amphibians (life style, reproduction, movement,
methods of obtaining food)
Day 2:
Students will be introduced to the anatomy of the bullfrog. They will be given a worksheet to
complete on both the anatomy and information discussed on day 1 (see worksheet 1)
Students will be assigned dissection kits and introduced to the tools used in dissection. They
must show proper techniques for holding and using tools and will be given scenarios and
must identify the correct tool to use for the hypothetical task.
Day 3:
Students will use laptops in class to complete virtual dissections of frogs. They will complete
an accompanying worksheet that corresponds to what they learn from the virtual dissection
(worksheet 2)
Day 4:
Students will be given a list of the organs and their functions. They will read through the
descriptions and answer the accompanying post lab questions.
Students will be instructed to visit www.nbcsscience.weebly.com (a website that I have
created for them) and must to study the anatomy of the digestive system.
Day 5/6:
Students will be given the bullfrog specimen and a procedure protocol
We will read through the dissection protocol as a whole group
Students will each be given a practical on the external features of the head of the frog
Students will complete step 4 and then be given a practical on the structures inside the
mouth
Students will then begin dissecting the frog, following the provided protocol
Students will continue to follow the protocol and when they reach step 7 they will be given
the final practical exam on the organs of the digestive system.
Standards:
NEW JERSEY CORE CONTENT CURRICULUM STANDARDS
5.3.4.A.3- Essential functions of the human body are carried out by specialized
systems: Digestive, Circulatory, Respiratory, Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, Reproductive
5.3.8.A.2- During the early development of an organism, cells differentiate and multiply to form the
many specialized cells, tissues, and Page
organs
2 ofthat
14 compose the final organism.
5.3.12.E.2- Estimate how closely related species are, based on scientific evidence (e.g., anatomical
similarities)

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Name: __________________________________________ Date: ______________

Frog Worksheet Packet

Directions Label all structures..
Part A. External Anatomy of the Frog
Labeling
Hind Limb
Forelimb
Eye
Mouth
Eardrum
Nostril

Figure 1

Questions
1. Describe two differences between the feet of the hind limbs and those of the forelimbs.
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2. Describe the difference in color between the belly of the frog and the rest of its body. Explain why
this adaption helps protect it from predators that approach from above and below.
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______________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Describe one adaptation that helps the frog to live both on land and in water?
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Part B. Internal Anatomy of the Frogs Mouth
Labeling
Tongue
Maxillary teeth
Vomerine teeth
Internal nostrils
Pharynx
Eustachian tubes

Figure 2

Part C: Internal Anatomy of the Body Cavity I

Labeling
Liver
Gallbladder
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Pancreas

Figure 3

Questions
1. How many lobes does the liver have? _______________________________
Part D: Internal Anatomy of the Body Cavity II
Labeling
Lung
Heart
Right atrium
Left atrium
Ventricle
Kidney
Bladder

Figure 4

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1. What is the function of the digestive system?

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2. What adaptations does a frog have for obtaining food?
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3. What adaptations does a frog have for movement?
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Circulatory System
4. Sketch the circulatory system of the frog. Include the heart with its three chambers. Show the
direction the blood flows in. You may use your textbook.

5. How does a frogs circulatory system work?

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6. How is the circulatory system of a tadpole, different from that of an adult frog?
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Respiratory System
7. What is the function of the respiratory system?
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8. How does a frog obtain oxygen?
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Excretory System
9. What is the function of the excretory system?
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10. What organ produces urine?
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Life Cycle
11. Explain the life cycle of a frog. Include a diagram like the one in your text book on page 95.

12. What is an amphibian? Why is a frog classified as an amphibian?

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Name: ____________________________________Date: _____________________
Frog Dissection Homework

Site 1 - Go to MHHE Virtual Frog Dissection and complete the module.

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_16/BL_16.html

Site 2 - Go to Froguts Virtual frog and complete the dissection

http://www.froguts.com/demo/

Between the two virtual dissections, you should have a good idea of how frog
dissections are performed. To show that you have completed the dissections, answer
the following questions, you will turn these questions in before you are allowed to
complete the dissection.
1. Describe the procedure you would use to cut the frog to expose the organs to view. You may include
drawings to explain the technique.

2. Describe the inside of the frog's mouth. What structures are visible and what are their functions?
You may also include drawings.

3. Describe what you first see when you open the body cavity of the frog. What organs are obvious?
Which organs may require a more thorough inspection?

4. Compare a male to a female frog. How can you tell the difference?

5. Choose one organ that you would find in the body cavity of the frog. Describe it in thorough
detail, explain what it does, where it is located and how you would find it in the frog, you may want to
sketch the organ to show its locations in relation to the other organs.

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Frog Practical Exam 1 (external head anatomy):

Ask students to identify:
1. Mouth
2. External Nares
3. Nictitating membranes
4. Tympani
5. Eyes
20 points each
100% total
Frog Practical Exam 2 (internal- mouth):
Ask students to identify:
1. Maxillary teeth
2. Vomerine teeth
3. Internal Nares
4. Tongue
25 points each
100% total
Frog Practical Exam 3 (digestive system and heart):
Ask students to identify:
1. Heart
2. Stomach
3. Small intestine
4. Liver
5. Spleen
6. Large intestine
17 Points each
100% total

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Frog Dissection Practical Exam Rubric

Lesson: Anatomy (Frog Dissection)
Grade/subject: 8th grade/ Life-Science
Assessment Type: Closed Task

Student Name: ________________________________________

Practical Exam 1: External Head Anatomy

Organ

Correctly Incorrectly
identified identified

Points scored
(20 points
each)

Mouth
External Nares
Nictitating
membranes
Tympani
Eyes
TOTAL / 100 points

Practical Exam 2: Internal (Mouth)

Organ

Correctly Incorrectly
identified identified

Maxillary teeth
Vomerine teeth
Internal Nares
Tongue
TOTAL / 100 points

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Points scored
(25 points each)

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Practical Exam 3: Digestive system and Heart

Organ

Correctly
identified

Incorrectly
identified

Points scored
(17 points each)

Heart
Stomach
Small intestine
Liver
Spleen
Large intestine
TOTAL / 100 points

Exam 1 Score

/100

Exam 2 Score

/100

Exam 3 Score

/100

Total Points Scored /300

Final Grade

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Frog Dissection Reflection

What did you like about this activity? What
were you able to do well?

What similarities did you notice between the

anatomy of a bullfrog and your own human body?
Any differences?

What did you learn about yourself as a student

during this project? Did you discover any new
interests, strengths, weaknesses, preferences,
etc.?

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What did you not like about this project?

Were there areas that caused difficulty for
you?

Would you like to perform more dissections in the

future? Why or why not?

CLOSED TASK, SELF ASSESSMENT/REFLECTION

Frog Dissection Reflection Rubric

Lesson: Anatomy (Frog Dissection)

Grade/subject: 8th grade/ Life-Science
Assessment Type: Self assessment/Reflection
Student Name: ___________________________________

Criteria
Student can identify
areas they enjoyed
and their strengths

Likes and strengths

are clearly expressed

Likes and strengths

are somewhat
expressed

No likes and/or
strengths are
indicated

Student can identify

dislikes about the
activity

Dislikes are clearly

expressed

Student can identify

areas that caused
difficulties
Student can identify
similarities between
the anatomy of the
bullfrog and humans
Student expresses
feelings toward
performing
dissections in the
future
Student explains what
they have learned
about themselves
through the
completion of the
activity

Areas of difficulty
are clearly expressed

Student explains their

interests, strengths,
weaknesses,
preferences, etc.

Similarities are
accurate, relevant
and valuable

Dislikes are
somewhat
expressed or are
irrelevant to the
task
Areas of difficulty
are somewhat
expressed or are
irrelevant
Similarities are
vague and do not
show mastery of
the concepts

Score

No dislikes are
indicated

No areas of
difficulty are
indicated
No similarities are
identified

Student clearly
explains why or why
not they would like
to perform
dissections in the
future

Student does not

express a relevant
opinion toward
dissections

Student is reflective
in their explanation

Response is weak
and unreflective

Response is not
relevant to the
topic

Student is able to
express any
newfound strengths,
weaknesses,
interests,
preferences, etc.

Response is weak
and unreflective

Response is not
relevant to the
topic

No opinion is
expressed

/
TOTAL SCORE OUT OF 14:

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100%