Minds On

Life cycle

Let's explore the human life cycle. There are four stages. A stage is a specific period of time.

In the human life cycle we go through stages as:

  1. babies
  2. children
  3. adolescents
  4. adults

What do you notice?

An image of human life cycle. It includes four stages: a baby, a child, an adolescent, and an adult

What happens if you mix up the order or sequence of the different stages?

Action

Life cycle of a frog

Just like humans, frogs have a life cycle, too. Frogs follow a sequence that starts at the beginning of their life.

A frog begins its life as an egg. A tadpole comes out of the egg, grows into a froglet, and finally becomes a frog.

An image that shows the life cycle of a frog, from eggs, tadpole, froglet and finally frog.

Let’s explore the four stages in the life of a frog: egg, tadpole, froglet, and frog.

Egg

Frogs start off as little eggs.

Explore the following video to learn more about eggs.

Tadpole

After frogs hatch from eggs, they are known as tadpoles. They live in water, have long and flat tails, and gills like fish.

Explore the following video to learn more about tadpoles.

Froglet

As a froglet, the frog grows back legs and arms and will lose its tail and gills. This changes the way they move.

Explore the following video to learn more about froglets.

Frog

Frogs can move in the water and on land.

As frogs grow, they lose their gills and grow lungs. But they can still breathe under water by absorbing oxygen (breathing) through their skin.

Explore the following video to learn more about frogs.

Design your own

Design and create a diagram for the life cycle of a frog. Use the information shared about each stage.

Your life cycle guide should include:

  • a title
  • illustrations or a description
  • the name of each stage (captions)
  • the order or sequence of the stages

You may use paper, a computer, an audio clip, or a method of your choice to create your life cycle.

Trees have a life cycle, too!

Like humans and frogs, apple trees have a sequence of stages in their life cycle, too. Check the two pictures below for the apple tree and its life cycle.

Consolidation

Try it on your own

The diagram of frog and apple life cycles had titles, illustrations, and captions. They are in a specific order. We also learned that they must be in order.

Explore the diagram below of a butterfly life cycle. Next, create your own!

Your life cycle diagram should include:

  • a title
  • illustrations or a description
  • the name of each stage (captions)
  • the order or sequence of the stages

You may use paper, a computer, an audio clip, or a method of your choice to create your life cycle diagram.

An image showing the stages of a butterfly, from eggs, caterpillars, pupa and finally butterfly.

Bringing it all together

  • What did you learn about life cycles?
  • What are the important parts of a diagram?
  • If a diagram is not in order, can we still use it?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.