KS 1-2 A pond is an ideal feature to learn map-sketching. Younger pupils can be provided with an outline while older pupils can sketch the shape of the pond themselves. An appropriate activity is devising symbols to show features such as a reed bed, lilies and the back. Maintaining a pond is an ideal way of learning to care for the environment.
KS 3-4 Use a pond as a small-scale example of an ecosystem before an investigation of a major biome such as the rainforest.
Where is the best place to put a pond in your area? Use this question as the basis for a decision-making exercise.
Find out about the different types of pond, eg medieval fishponds, bog-pools (www.4qd.orgPAWL and www.snh.org.uktrendstrends_notespdfFresh%20watersPonds.pdf).
Survey ponds in your area, using Ordnance Survey maps and aerial photographs. What is happening to the number of ponds and why?
Read “Mystery of puddle still unsolved” http:news.bbc.co.uk1hienglandcambridgeshire4750463.stm. What does this tell us about the characteristics of ponds?
