Welcome to week 9 of our one year pond study. For the rest of the posts in this series please see here.
This week I am determined to post about all the activities we did around our tree study. It was touch and go for a while, because in our enthusiasm we have been to the pond twice this week, once for the tree study and the second time we drove past and saw our heron. Now our heron has been with us for years but each time we visit the pond for our nature study it has been conspicuous only by its absence! So when we caught a glimpse of him, we raced home, grabbed the camera and snapped away. This was in the evening time as the sun was gradually going down so the lighting was just wonderful. I think this pond study has given me a hobby, because I LOVE taking photos of nature! The first set of photos will be our night-time visit and the second set our tree study. Enjoy!
For our tree study my aims this week were simple and all to do with the Lichen:
- Read about the Ash tree
- Learn about the different types of Lichen
- Take some home with us and look at it under a magnifying glass
- Learn about the implication of the presence of Lichen on a tree with regards to the surrounding air pollution
- Attempt to draw a branch with Lichen
- Complete our note booking page for April using the dried Lichen
First we read about the Ash tree using this book:
Then we visited our pond for some pictures and to gather the bits and pieces we needed to do our activities at home:
We collected a small branch with a good amount of Lichen on it and went home. On returning I had the children learn a bit more about the different types of lichen:
We learn that the type of Lichen present indicates the level of air pollution. Our branch contained three different types of Lichen, indicating that air pollution was very low. We studied the Lichen under a magnifying glass:
Isn’t nature just magnificent?
We decided to make our journal page for April all about the ecosystem. We made the tree out of our drawings and stuck dried on Lichen on the truck. The rest was drawn or sketched and we added notes to remind us of the components of an ecosystem:
So enjoying the pond study!
The kids did a beautiful job on their branch pictures!
Your heron looks completely different from the brown one we have hanging out here. I’ll try to snap a photo to show you.
Thanks Erin, I’ll tell them you said so!
I’d love to see your heron. I always thought our heron was rather straggly looking but up close he’s so beautiful!
Such beautiful pictures! What a treat to see the heron in action. It’s a gorgeous bird.
I had always thought it quite an ugly bird, until I actually looked. Now I think it is possibly one of the most beautiful birds I ever saw. Nature is teaching me more about myself than itself, and it’s making me open my eyes, sit up and take notice.
Your heron is gorgeous.
Interesting, I’ve always thought lichen was a sign of the plant not doing well.
I think you might be right. Because it absorbs the air around it, it is very sensitive to pollution so it’s presence indicates clean air. We didn’t go into anymore detail than that and didn’t look at it’s effect or lack there of, on the plant. We’ve got another 43 weeks to go. I’ve got to pace myself!!
What you pace yourself? Say it’s not so.
Well, I do my very, very best! I’m a tinsy bit naff at it though!!
Beautiful photos – thank you for sharing your pond study with us all. Looks like they are learning so much. Have a blessed week!
Thank you for visiting, Tracey. We do love our pond study and would really recommend it to anyone! I’ve learnt an enormous amount!
You have a wonderful week too!
Your heron is beautiful!! I wish our pond had one of those. (Have you been watching the Herons on Cornell’s nest cam at all? They’re sitting on 5 eggs.) Love your picture of the tree’s flower. So pretty. As is your close-up of the lichen. Thank you for linking up with Nature in the Neighborhood!
Thank you. Thank you for the link, I’ll go and visit now!
Ilike your note page. Such a good way for the kids to remember the ecosystem.
Thanks Sarah!
Great pictures! The children must have had a great time. I wish we had such beautiful animals but our climate here is just too hot!
Thank you! Not that I know much about Singapore, but I always imagined that hot climates meant lots of exotic animals, but obviously I was wrong!!
Your heron and tree photos are so gorgeous. I’ve been inspired by photographing nature, too. I find trees a particular challenge though! You did a great job with the blossom shot. Did you use fancy settings? I’ve asked a friend to show me how my camera works, I’m guilty of ignoring everything but the point-and-shoot button!
I’m a bit the same. It’s all trial and error. I’m beginning to know what works but don’t actually ask me HOW it works. I’ve no clue!!
I love the no fishing sign and the Heron taking no notice of course! Wonderful photos and so much for the children to learn from your pond. I have learned something myself about lichen and air pollution! Thank you for sharing on Country Kids.
Thank you!
Absolutely love the journal page!
Thanks Kris!
Trees are so gorgeous aren’t they. I liked them too much as a child and always climbing them – and that’s how I broke my arm!
Gorgeous photos – especially the close ups.
Thanks for sharing on the Spring Carnival.
I’m really enjoying discovering everything my camera does. And nature is definitely my favourite subject….after my family of course!!
It’s such a joy to follow your pond study. One of my favorite things about homeschool is being able to vist some of our favorite nature spots any time of year.
Thank you. I really appreciate knowing there are others enjoying it like we are!