Nature Study: Our One Year Pond Study Week 6 (The Ecosystem at Last)

My first successful bird in flight photo.
Wowser!

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:

This week peace had returned to our little pond, all the ducks were paired off, save a few stray males, who had no partners.
This week peace had returned to our little pond, all the ducks were paired off, save a few stray males, who had no partners.
At peace
At peace
Such beauty
Such beauty
All together, no fighting
All together, no fighting
Is not creation perfectly stunning?
Stunning
I think the moor hens were out looking for nesting material. I've never known them be so bold before
I think the moor hens were out looking for nesting material. I’ve never known them be so bold before
Our first pigeon
Our first pigeon

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:

One of the goals was for the children to have a peek into the pond water using our periscope
One of the goals was for the children to have a peek into the pond water using our periscope
I love how each child approaches the nature study according to his or her natural learning rhythms. T11 does all the hands on practical things whilst C10 makes copious notes about everything she notices
I love how each child approaches the nature study according to his or her natural learning rhythms. T11 does all the hands on practical things whilst C10 makes copious notes about everything she notices
Collecting water samples from shallow water and deeper water
Collecting water samples from shallow water and deeper water
Fascination
Fascination
Oopsidaisy!
Oopsidaisy!

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!

L10 taking a peek at the water and its many inhabitants
L10 taking a peek at the water and its many inhabitants

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.

  Science Sunday