Mrs. Nlcki Elder
Level: 8th grade science
Title: The Effect of Acid Rain on Amphibians

One Sentence Summary: Using cooperative learning groups, the class will study acid rain and the effects it has on amphibians; each group will research the topic of acid rain via the internet as well as communicate with professionals inquiring about how acid rain affects amphibians; students will collect snow samples (1998-99 school year) to test acidity levels and report findings to interested professionals via the internet.

Computer program outcome: Each student will use the internet as a resource for inquiry and communicate with professionals through e-mail.

Science program outcome: Each student will gain a basic understanding of the concept of acid rain and how it affects amphibians. Each student will know the characteristics of amphibians.

Computer Program Activities:
1. Using the process of inquiry, each cooperative learning group will conduct
searches on the internet to tind the following:
a. information about acid rain, pH scale, specific chemicals released into the
air to form acid rain
b. information about frog abnormalities caused by acid rain, the number of
states currently reporting frog abnormalities caused by acid rain
c. information about current laws protecting animals affected by acid rain
2. Use word processing programs to type a brief reflection paper.
3. Share data from collected water samples with interested professionals via e-mail
(1 998-99).

Science Program Activities:
1. Study amphibian characteristics through amphibian chapter in science text book.
2. Dissect frogs.
3. Define and discuss the concept of acid rain.
4. Collect snow samples and test acidity levels (1998-99).

Detalled DescriptIon: Mrs. Elder will conduct lectures about amphibian characteristics and lead students through the frog dissection. She will also lead the students through a short discussion on the concept of acid rain and how it could affect animals, amphibians in particular. Using a guide sheet, students will search for information about acid rain via the internet. Through the process of inquiry, students will communicate with professionals asking for specifics about how acid rain affects amphibians and what is being done to protect such animals.

Time to be completed: Amphibian unit began on April 6 and will last 3-4 weeks. Internet project will be taught on April 27 & 28.
Students will turn in/ be graded on:
* frog dissection worksheet
* chapter questions and worksheets on amphibians
* questions sent to scientists or other professionals
* reflection paper
* chapter test

Specific expectations related to the product:
* accuracy of information on questions, worksheets & test
* thorough study of web sites on amphibians & acid rain
* complete drawing and labeling of frog anatomy
* three questions for professionals that were not answered by the information on the
web sites
*complete sentences in the reflection paper explaining how they felt about doing the
internet project and whether they needed more instruction on how to use the internet

Materials/resou rces:
internet access/web sites on amphibians & acid rain
preserved frogs
dissecting materials (scissors, scapel, pan, probe, needles, goggles, apron, gloves)
pH indicator paper
medium sized beaker to collect snow