Story Summary
Toad has lost a button and Frog helps him look for it. During the search, several buttons are found, but each time Toad tells Frog why that button is not his button. After a frustrated Toad goes home empty-handed, he finds his button lying on the floor of his own home! He makes a special gift for his friend, Frog.
Structuring the Investigation
Start the lesson by reading the entire story aloud.
Then, distribute bags of buttons to small groups of students. Direct them to empty the bags onto their tables. Reread the story, stopping after each description Toad provides to allow students to eliminate buttons that couldn't possibly be Toad's. At the conclusion of the reading, one button should remain. Ask students to describe the remaining button.
Distribute copies of the Buttons! Buttons! activity sheet to the students.
Direct students to cross off buttons that Toad says are not his after carefully reading each of the clues at the top of the page. After the final clue is read, one button that is not crossed off should remain on the activity sheet.
Ask students to describe the remaining button in the space provided.
Encourage students to discuss how they eliminated groups of buttons; for example, if the button is not black, it must be white.
Check the activity sheet by rereading the story.
