T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.net/
Assessment
Students can be assessed through a variety of methods throughout the project. During the introduction,
evaluation of the student responses to gain insight into their knowledge of the various life forms found in an
aquatic habitat. Evaluating the food webs will determine if the students were able to organize the plants and
animals to create an accurate food web. Evaluating student responses during follow-up discussions will
identify misconceptions. Additional activities to address misconceptions should be provided.
Extension Ideas
1. Invite an aquatic biologist to visit the class and discuss his/her work. Allow time for the students to ask
any questions they may have.
2. Take a field trip to a pond or lake in your community. Take the water samples back to the classroom and
use microscopes to find other organisms. If you are not able to take a field trip, ask students to bring in water
samples from other ponds in the community and allow time for students to analyze samples using
microscopes.
3. Provide access to Internet sites or printed resources to allow students to learn more about aquatic habitats
and find answers to any questions they may have. Challenge students to create a “Did you know ...?” display
to share the things they learned about pond life.
Resources
Microscope Mania – This unit is available at http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classbio.html#micro and
introduces students to microscopes and the microscopic world.
Pond Water Sites – A collection of pond water websites for students is available at the Science Spot in the
Kid Zone area at http://sciencespot.net/Pages/kdzbiopond.html.
Identification Guides – There are several good identification guides available online. Golden Guide: Pond
Life book (ISBN# 1-58238-130-5) is a good resource for students. A brief guide for determining water
quality based on macroinvertebrates is available at the Discover Carolina website at
http://www.discovercarolina.com/html/s05nature09a02b.html.
Life in a Pond Cards - Image Credits:
Largemouth Bass – http://www.cannondam.com/lynnsguideservice/images/largemouthbass.jpg
Bluegill – http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/bluegill.htm
Crayfish - http://www.mackers.com/crayfish/pics.htm
Phytoplankton/Zooplankton - http://sherpaguides.com/georgia/barrier_islands/natural_history/index.html
Mosquito larvae - http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1320/oc_camp_larvae_groupalt.jpg
Pond frog - http://www.wigry.win.pl/plazy2/zabz6.jpg
Pond snail – http://lilyblooms.com/images/products/pondsnail.jpg
Aquatic plants - http://naturalaquariums.com/plantedtank/0509.html
Salamander – http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/amphibians/images/eastern_tiger_salamander.jpg
Leeches - http://www.upfishing.com//images/leeches_idiobdella.jpg
Great Blue Heron – http://www.islandnet.com/beaconhillpark/graphics/216_heron13K400.jpg
Aquatic worm - http://www.state.ky.us/nrepc/water/aquawo03.gif
Bullhead Catfish - http://www.upfishing.com/catfish.html
Aquatic nymphs - http://www.fishguideme.net/FlyFishing/Images/bugs.jpg
Mallard - http://www.nhptv.org/Natureworks/mallard.htm
Snapping Turtle - http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/Reptiles/snapping%20turtle/snapping%20turtle.jpg
Raccoon - http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/a_closer_look_at_wildlife/raccoons.html