I think this has to be one of my most favourite photos I’ve ever taken. Isn’t he a beauty? Welcome to week 6 of our one year pond study. For the rest of the posts in this series please see here
The goals this week were for the children to:
- Understand pond ecology
- Be able to identify any elements of the pond ecosystem in plain sight to them whilst at the pond
- Be able to discuss the elements they were unable to see either because the season or because of their position ie under the water
- Be able to use our water periscope to view under the water
- Collect some water samples to view under our magnifier
First some general pictures of our pond and wildlife:
We had done quite a lot of work last week with the ecosystem, so this was a week of admiring the surroundings and doing a bit of hands on study:
Whilst we wandered around the pond we discussed producers, consumers and decomposers. These were all new terms and they did well pointing out those they could see and imagining and making suggestions of those they couldn’t. Once we got home we looked at the water through our magnifier, not expecting to see much. To our surprise there was lots of little wiggly things swimming about!
Next week we are going to revisit studying the pond water, as we did in week 2, although this time we will attempt some identification of life in the water. Given I know zip about pond life, this should be interesting.
Just as a post script: I am enjoying this nature study so much. Much, much more than I thought possible. It moves me. I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced such utter beauty and it’s all naturally stunning, with no modification to ‘improve’ by man. Truly, such a gift from our Creator.
Great photography. Inspired by your weekly reports. We are still under snow so will do something later – May?!? We do not have a pond nearby so will pick a different ecosystem. Myra from Canada
Still under snow? Oh Myra, poor you! We have blue sky and sunshine for the first time in a long time. It’s so cheery! I’ll pray for melting snow and spring to come fast in Winnipeg!
I thought we were on our way to spring on the week-end. We had (low) melting temps but the snow did lessen on the ground. We actually had some quite large bare patches (right beside 1 metre high piles of snow!) and, then, this morning I woke up to MORE snow falling. There must be several cms of snow already and we are forecast to get up to 10 cms. Along with this, there are gusty winds which just add to the fun!! Keep praying! Surely there must be a spring in our future this year! On a serious note – Pray for mental health for people. We are so used to sunshine that 2 or 3 cloudy days in a row can really affect the mood of people (documented by mental health officials in our city) and the rates of depression increase dramatically.
Praying!
I agree with you. That top photo is spectacular!
Thank you Sarah. I’m enjoying the photography more and more!
I love it… my bloggy week is now complete… I agree with you so much about Nature. It is amazing how as humans we simply need to ‘be’ outside. There is so much to learn, see, do and absorb by just being outside. And it stimulates all the senses and that is long-term learning. And your children are all having fun… and so are you!
One of the main reasons I started this was for my children’s sake as they loved nature so much it seemed a shame not to study it. I thought I would go dragging my feet. And yet, having had the opportunity to open my eyes and see this incredible beauty which I simply had not noticed before, means that each week I am biting the bit to get going and see how our ducks are doing!
I shake my head at myself in disbelief, but what a blessing to finally see….
I think my favourite thing about this pond study is not the beautiful photos but the obvious enthusiasm from your kids!
I know what you mean about nature study, too. It’s both soothing and uplifting to get out and really look at everything outdoors.
I am really blessed with very enthusiastic children, it makes teaching them such a pleasure! Long may it last!
How exciting about the wriggly pond creatures! I know what we’ll be doing when we next visit our pond..! Love your photos, too, especially that top one – amazing! Lucinda
I think I took about ten photos in quick succession and that was the only one that was even vaguely good! I love it too, so thanks!!
Good photos sweetheart. I especially like the the one of T11 on his bum. Quality!!
I know! I was lucky to capture it, or maybe he was unlucky I captured it! Either way, it’ll be great to look back on when he’s older!
It was a great photo of the bird, they are so hard to get a good picture of.
I need to go back to your first post and see if you wrote down any books you used to help you design this, because I’m really itching to do this now, and I quite frankly suck at nature studies.
So do I! Each week I’ve been wanting to look under the microscope at the pond water and each week I put it of because, if I’m honest, I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m determined to look this week, but it could be a disaster!!