Five Green and Speckled Frogs

Last updated Monday, June 7, 2004

Author: Priscilla Burris
Illustrator: Priscilla Burris
Date of Publication: 2003
ISBN: 0439354897
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Date(s) Used: June 2004

Synopsis: Five frogs eat bugs as they sit on a log, but one by one they jump into the cool pool until all are gone.

Discussion topics for before reading:

• What does it mean to be speckled? What can you name that’s speckled?
• What do you think frogs do to have fun? What do you think frogs eat?
• What do you do during the summer? What do you like to eat during the summer?

Discussion topics for after reading:

• What does it mean to be lonely? Who is lonely at the end of the book?
• What does this frog do to get over his/her loneliness? What would you do if you were lonely?

Craft ideas:

• Make a frog puppet or mask (bring ahead option: bring paper bags or popsicle sticks to make puppets), and re-enact the story.
• Make a mobile of 5 speckled frogs.

Special challenge:

• Begin in a circle as a group, hop in a circle together, singing the song. Call out a name, and have that person jump into the pond in the center of the circle. How many are in the pond? How many are in the circle.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don’t have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!