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Summer Ponding

Amphibians· Aquatic Animals· Grasses· Nature Study· Summer

17 Feb

Ponding encourages an understanding of the relationship between plants and animals in a freshwater ecosystem. Pondlife may be observed and monitored over each season.

We went summer ponding and the experience was amazing. There wasn’t much happening on the surface of the water, but we were excited to see pondlife in the algae-covered rocks, pond scum, mud, and the water we collected into a container.

Once the water had settled overnight, we noticed tiny creatures coming out of the rock crevices to swim in the water.

We took note of the birdlife on and near the pond. We saw Pelicans, Mallard Ducks, Water Wrens, Seagulls, Ibises, and an Egret. We observed and noted the plants and trees growing around the pond too.

We found Common Rush, Water Couch, Tussock Sedge, Common Reed, and Cumbungi.

Table of Contents

  • Summer Ponding Study
    • Indoor Prep Work
    • Field Work
    • Field Journaling
    • Activities
  • YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:
    • Amphibian Metamorphosis Mini Study
  • WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPOTTED GRASS FROG?
  • Earn your badges by investigating amphibians and fish at Nature Club.

Summer Ponding Study

Indoor Prep Work

  • Australian Guide to Pondlife by Gould League.
  • Watch pond skaters for kids.
  • Optional: Watch Minibeast Adventure with Jess (16:37).
  • Sing along to some ponding songs.

Field Work

Visit a pond, lake, or river to investigate and observe the ecosystem of pondlife. What creatures can you see on the water? What creatures are inside the water? What insects, animals, and birds visit the lake? What kind of trees and plants are growing around and near the lake? Do you see any water plants? Can you find evidence of other creatures you’ve not seen such as mussel or snail shells?

Field Journaling

Once you’ve observed pondlife, decide on a subject you’d like to research and learn more about. Sketch it in your field guide and write your observations. Include a list of other creatures that visit the pond. Also, write a bird and plant list for your pond. You’ll want to compare your notes to see how the pond ecosystem changes and develops over the seasons.

Activities

  • Collect algae-covered rocks, pond mud, and water in a container. Allow it to settle overnight and watch for tiny creatures. Observe the water through a microscope. Journal your discoveries.
  • Search for tracks in the mud.
  • Use the Summer Ponding Notebook Page to note your observations.
  • Download our Ponding Task Cards for more activities.
  • Go fishing!

What interesting things have you found on your ponding adventures?

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN:

Amphibian Metamorphosis Mini Study

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPOTTED GRASS FROG?

Dig deeper with the Australian Nature Study Guide | Volume 1 | Summer/Autumn.

Earn your badges by investigating amphibians and fish at Nature Club.

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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Comments

  1. Jane Powell says

    February 17, 2021 at 8:02 am

    This is so informative and encouraging. You put a lot of effort into your nature study articles. Great job Marie.

Hey Explorer

We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/
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