Colorful plants called bromeliads are often home to a variety of rainforest frogs. Many bromeliads have stiff, overlapping leaves that form bucket-like containers for rainfall. Leaves and debris fall into these reservoirs and help algae and other single-celled organisms to grow. These organisms, in turn, feed mosquitoes, insect larvae and other organisms. Each bromeliad is like a small ecosystem in itself -- animals such as tree frogs, snails, flatworms, tiny crabs and salamanders might spend their entire lives inside one of them.

Have your class research the characteristics of a bromeliad and identify which tree frogs use it as a home. Students can then make their own paper model of a bromeliad and describe how it is an appropriate home for a tree frog.

As a follow-up activity, have your students compare and contrast the characteristics of a children's tree house with the bromeliad "tree house" of the frog.

You can also grow your own bromeliad in the classroom, using a pineapple.

Show your students pictures of different frog species and discuss the characteristics all frogs share. Lead a class discussion about how these attributes help frogs survive. For example: strong hind legs help a frog jump, swim or climb to escape predators or catch prey; eyes and nostrils on top of the head enable it to breathe and see underwater.

Have students talk about the environmental conditions necessary for frogs' survival, such as:

• moisture to keep its skin from drying out
• camouflage to hide from predators
• nearness to a food source, or the ability to draw insects to their environment, so as to eat without endangering themselves

Hand out an outline or a picture of a frog to groups of students. Working in small groups, have students list the characteristics of frogs and the elements of their environment on the paper.

Discover what makes a human different from a frog and compare the environments humans and frogs need to survive.

Look for more fun frog activities that teach students about the importance of protecting tropical habitats.

Looking for holiday gifts that help protect forests around the world? Here are some ideas:

• Consider donating to your favorite cause in the name of your family and friends. The Rainforest Alliance's Adopt-A-Rainforest Program supports local conservation organizations in Latin America that are working to protect lands from deforestation and improve livelihoods in local communities.
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which means it comes from responsibly managed forestlands.
• Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee and chocolates are delicious gifts that protect forests and support local farming communities.
• Book your next vacation at a hotel or lodge that conserves water and energy, recycles waste, and protects local wildlife habitats.
• If you're flying for the holidays, use a carbon offsetting program to offset the emissions that result from your trip.

Look for more gift ideas to make your holidays greener.

The American Planning Association is looking for creative high school students to participate in an essay contest that addresses the critical planning issues in their own communities. The theme of this year's contest is "Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods: Greening Streets and Neighborhoods." Participants are asked to create a plan for a green neighborhood. The first place winner will receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Entries must be submitted online by January 15, 2008.

The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program awards grants to K-12th grade science teachers to support innovative projects that enhance science education within their school or district. This year, 50 large grants of up to $10,000 and 20 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each will be awarded. Winners of large grants will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference in Boston. Proposals are accepted in the categories of physical science, environmental education, and integrating literacy into science. The deadline for submitting a proposal is January 28, 2008.

The Lexus Environmental Challenge is a nationwide contest open to teams of students in grades six through twelve. The contest consists of four environmental challenges dealing with land, water, air and climate. Teams must define an issue and develop an action plan to address it. The winning team from each challenge will receive a $3,000 grant and be invited to participate in the final challenge. Grand prize winners will receive $75,000. The deadline to participate for the fourth challenge on climate is January 7, 2008.

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