Pond Keepers: Spring 2016

Just going to stop by the blog and show you some of the Creature Creations that Edson Elementary created. Edson Elementary was my last school with the last three ponds of the 2016 Spring Pond Keeper season. Any school that participates in the Pond Keeper program has 10 days to complete a series of activities that help the class understand what makes a pond a pond and what types of creatures are able to be found and live in and near a pond. Students learn about different types of insects and amphibians that consider a pond their home. They also learn about the types of adaptations that each type of "macro invertebrate" has in order to survive. When the students have completed most of the projects, they are able to make a "Creature Creation." This assignment is asking students to create a creature that would be found in the pond (of their imagination) and it must highlight some of the adaptations they have learned about. For instance, a Giant Water Bug and a Water Scorpion are able to breathe with a "snorkel" or breathing tube. Below, this pond creature creation has a straw-like breathing tube to help it breathe under water. Most grades that participate in this program are K-5th grade, so this activity is really my favorite. Of course, because there is a little bit of art incorporated into this program, but when I come in after the 10 days, the students are always really excited to show off and present what they have made. To find out more about Pond Keepers, check out our website.

TheChristyBel

Adorable, Right?!?