Frogs Jump - Unit Study
- Arika
- Mar 19
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Frogs Jump by Alan Brooks is a lively and rhythmic picture book that introduces young readers to various animals and their unique movements while incorporating simple counting concepts. The book follows a predictable pattern, making it engaging and easy for early learners to follow along.
The story begins with frogs jumping, setting the stage for other animals to join in with their own actions. Readers encounter animals like monkeys that swing, geese that honk, snakes that slither, and elephants that trumpet. Each page features a new animal performing its natural movement but in an unnatural way, helping children connect words to actions while building vocabulary.
In addition to movement, the book incorporates numbers, encouraging children to count animals on the page as they appear. The repetitive text structure supports early literacy development, while the vibrant illustrations bring the animals to life. Through its rhythmic storytelling, Frogs Jump not only entertains but also teaches young readers about animals, movement, and basic counting skills.
Frog Unit Study Ideas K-2nd Grade
Word Wall
frog | jump | whale | splash |
duck | dive | monkey | swing |
rabbit | run | elephant | trumpet |
spider | spin | pelican | fish |
Reading & Writing
Story Retelling – Have students retell the story using sequencing cards or drawings.
Letter Recognition – Identify and trace the letters in “Frog,” “Jump,” and other key words.
Frog Journal – Students write and illustrate their observations about frogs.
Creative Writing – “If I were a frog, I would…” activity.
Writing Prompts
If I Were an Animal – If you could be any animal from Frogs Jump, which one would you be? Why?
Animal Action Adventure – Write a short story where all the animals in the book have a race. Who wins and why?
What’s That Sound? – Describe the different sounds the animals make and how they use them to communicate.
🐸 Frogs Jump – Write about a day in the life of a frog. What do you see, hear, and do?
🐍 Snakes Slither – Imagine you are a snake moving through the grass. What do you feel? Where are you going?
🐘 Elephants Trumpet – Describe what it would be like to be a big, heavy elephant walking through the jungle.
🕷 Spiders Spin – If you were a tiny spider, where would you build your web? What would you catch?
🦆 Ducks Dive– What do you think a duck does all day? What happens when it goes for a swim?
🐰 Rabbits Run – Write a story about a rabbit who hops into an adventure in a new place.
🐋 Whales Splash – Imagine you are a whale deep in the ocean. What do you see and hear?
🐵 Monkeys Swing – What would it be like to swing through the trees like a monkey? Where would you go?
Free Download Here
Math
Counting Jumps – Count and compare how many jumps different students or toy frogs make.
Measurement – Measure and record the distance of each student's jump.
Skip Counting – Count by twos or fives using frog counters. (Purchase from Amazon Here)
Graphing – Create a bar graph of different jumping distances.
Science
Frog Life Cycle – Explore and illustrate the stages from egg to adult frog. (Purchase from Amazon Here)
Habitat Study – Learn about pond ecosystems and what frogs need to survive.
Camouflage Experiment – Hide different colored paper “frogs” in a green background to discuss how frogs blend into their environment.
History & Geography
Frogs Around the World – Learn about different frog species and where they live.
Native American Frog Legends – Explore folktales and cultural beliefs about frogs.
STEM
Building a Jumping Frog – Use craft materials to create paper frogs that “jump” with rubber bands. (Purchase from Amazon Here)
STEM Challenge – Design and test different structures to see how high toy frogs can jump.
Water Experiment – Show how frogs absorb water through their skin by placing a sponge “frog” in water. (Purchase from Amazon Here)
Art
Physical Activity & Games
Frog Jump Race – Have students jump like frogs in a relay race.
Leapfrog Game – Play traditional leapfrog to practice coordination.
Simon Says (Frog Edition) – Give instructions related to frog movements (jump, stretch, squat).
Interactive Notebook Activities
📖 1. Animal Action Flap Book – Create a flipbook where each flap lifts to reveal an animal and how it moves. Example: The top flap says "Frogs..." and underneath, it says "jump!"
🔢 2. Frog Life Cycle Wheel – A spinning wheel where students match pictures of each life cycle stage to its name (egg, tadpole, froglet, adult).
Directions:
Materials Needed:
2 paper plates (or cardstock circles)
Scissors
Brass fastener (paper fastener/brad)
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Frog life cycle pictures (printed or hand-drawn)
Glue or tape
Step-by-Step Instructions:
#1 Prepare the Plates:
Take two paper plates (or cut two equal circles from cardstock).
On one plate, divide the surface into four equal sections. Label them: Eggs, Tadpole, Froglet, Adult Frog.
Draw or glue a picture of each life cycle stage in its section.
#2 Create the Viewing Window:
Take the second plate and cut out a triangular window large enough to show one section at a time.
Decorate the top plate with a title like "Frog Life Cycle" and add drawings if desired.
#3 Assemble the Wheel:
Stack the plates on top of each other, with the window plate on top.
Use a brass fastener in the center to secure them together.
#4 Spin & Learn!
Turn the top plate to reveal each stage of the frog's life cycle through the window.
Discuss or write about each stage as students rotate the wheel.
📊 3. Movement Sorting Pockets – Make paper pockets labeled "Jump," "Slither," "Crawl," "Swim," etc. Students sort animals into the correct pocket.
🎨 4. Lift-the-Flap Habitat Match – A page with flaps that reveal different habitats. Students match each animal to where it lives.
🔍 5. Frog Jump Measurement Chart – Students measure their own jumps and compare them to different animals in a foldable chart.
🌎 6. Animal Adaptations Flip Chart – A layered chart where students write one adaptation per animal under flaps (e.g., "Frogs have webbed feet to help them swim").
🕷 7. Spider Web Geometry – A pop-up spider web craft where students create a web with string and paper and discuss the shape patterns found in nature.
Sample Weekly Schedules:
3 Days | Reading | Writing | Free Choice | Daily Total |
Day 1 | Read Frogs Jump (15min) | Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min) | Science Activity (20min) | 50 min |
Day 2 | Retell Frogs Jump (5min) | Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min) | Math Activity (15min) | 45 min |
Day 3 | Student Reads (10min) | Pick a writing prompt/draw a picture (15-20min) | Art Activity (30min) | 1 hr |
Day 1 | Reading | Writing | Math | Science | Art | Daily Total |
Day 1 | Read Frogs Jump (15min) | Pick a writing prompt/ draw a picture (15-20min) | Math Activity (15min) | Science Activity (20min) | Art Activity (30min) | 1 hr 40 min |
Expanded Classroom & Homeschool Activities
Reading & Writing
Animal Movement Chart – Create a chart with the animal names, their movements, and a drawing of each one for this frog unit study.
Sentence Building – Have students complete sentences like "Frogs ____, fish ____, and worms ____."
Dramatic Storytelling – Act out the story while reading aloud.
Math
Number Matching – Match a numeral to the correct number of animals on a page.
Graphing Animal Movements – Create a bar graph showing how many times each animal appears.
Roll & Move Game – Roll a die and move like one of the animals that many times.
Directions: Roll a die and move like the animal shown.
1️⃣ Jump like a frog
2️⃣ Wiggle like a worm
3️⃣ Slither like a snake
4️⃣ Crawl like a bug
5️⃣ Swim like a fish
6️⃣ Choose your own!
Science
Movement Exploration – Watch real videos of frogs jumping, fish swimming, and snakes slithering.
Animal Habitats – Discuss where each animal lives and create a diorama.
Sensory Science – Let kids touch different textures like slimy (gel for fish), rough (paper for bugs), and smooth (rubber snakes).
History & Geography
Where Do These Animals Live? – Match each animal to a continent or region.
Animal Folktales – Read a short folktale about frogs or snakes from different cultures.
Frog Folktales
"The Frog Prince" (Retold by Brothers Grimm, Various Versions) – A classic fairy tale about a frog who is transformed into a prince.
"Jump, Frog, Jump!" by Robert Kalan – A cumulative tale about a frog escaping predators.
"Why the Frog Has Big Eyes" by Betsy Franco – A folktale explaining the frog’s features.
Fish Folktales
"The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister – A moral story about sharing.
"Tiddalick the Frog: A Traditional Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime Story" by Robert Roennfeldt – A thirsty frog drinks all the water, teaching about conservation.
"The Fisherman and His Wife" (Brothers Grimm, Various Versions) – A cautionary tale about greed and a magical fish.
Snake Folktales
"The Story of the Rainbow Serpent" (Australian Aboriginal Mythology) – A creation story about a giant serpent.
STEM
Jumping Frog Engineering – Make a simple jumping frog using origami or a rubber band mechanism.
How Far Can You Jump? – Compare how far students can jump vs. a real frog.
Floating & Sinking Experiment – Test different materials to see what sinks like a worm or floats like a frog.
Art
Movement Painting – Use different strokes and colors to show how each animal moves.
Animal Puppets – Make stick puppets of each animal and retell the story.
Thumbprint Frogs – Use paint to make thumbprint animals.
Physical Activity & Games
Frog Jump Relay – Take turns hopping like a frog to a finish line.
Slithering Snake Race – Crawl on the ground like a snake in a fun race.
Act Like an Animal – Call out an animal from the book, and kids must move like it.
Have fun with this
silly book!
-- Arika
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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