Skip to Main Content

Above & Below the Pond

Learn about pond life and create a realistic scene that's teeming with flora and fauna.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Introduce the topic of pond ecosystems. Discuss the types of ponds - freshwater, salt water, kettle ponds, mountain ponds, etc. Have students research life in and around a pond. Find out what happens to pond life during harsh weather conditions such as droughts and prolonged freezes. Ask them to come up with a list of flora and fauna that live in and around a pond.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a realistic pond scene of life above and below the water. To create a watery effect for life underwater, students can wet the watercolor paper and then paint on that wet surface. They might choose to depict turtles, fish, rocks, plants, etc. For the above-ground scene they might portray birds, insects, frogs, lily pads, etc. When dry they can mount their art on a construction paper backing using a color that accentuates the water and the sky.

  • Step 3

    When their painting is complete, have them write information about the items depicted in their scene to display as a legend next to their artwork.

Standards

LA: Add drawings or other visual displays to written text to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/ models that are useful in communicating ideas.

Adaptations

Investigate threats to the pond ecosystem - climate change, pollution, invasive species, etc. What is being done to help?

Study the seasonal changes a pond goes through during the year. Create scenes of a pond in each season; write up some notes about these events to display with the art.