Habitats of the Pond

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In this outdoor activity/field trip, learners locate and study plants and animals in several freshwater pond habitats. Learners take various samples from the pond, identify organisms using a pond guide, and collaborate to create a pond map. Includes background information, but it is recommended that learners do the activity What Lives Here?, also by OBIS, before this activity.

Quick Guide

Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Field Trip
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 plankton net (per buddy group)
  • 1 long-handled dip net (per buddy group)
  • 2 observation trays (per buddy group)
  • 1 magnifying lens or bug box (per buddy group)
  • 1 clear plastic cup (per buddy group)
  • 1 copy of the OBIS Pond Guide (per buddy group)
  • 1 data board
  • 4 felt-tip pens
  • 1 copy of the Aquatic Observation Aids Equipment Card
  • several large kitchen strainers

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
      • Animals
      • Classification
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Populations
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Regents of the University of California, 1981