Water Wonders!

The Nature Friends program is for 4- or 5-year old children with an adult. Maximum group size if 20 child-adult teams. Programs are outside unless weather does not permit.

Story

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

Discussion

Many different animals and insects that live in and by a pond. (Emphasize the small, small creatures of the pond.) Using a flannelboard, show an example of a pond and a simple food chain, i.e. dragonfly eats the mosquito.

Activity: Pond Study

To introduce a spatial aspect, provide a simple map to the pond. Explain that each adult-child team will be creating a mini-pond in a tub.
Demonstrate how to use dip nets. Step one will be to add a couple of inches of pond water. Begin searching with the nets. Challenge each group to find 4 or 5 different things (i.e.) a dragon fly larva, a fairy shrimp or water flea, and a diving beetle. Bring groups together at the end to share what they discovered in the pond. Carefully return your mini-pond to the big pond. PFDs should be available.

Craft: No craft – use the time for pond discovery.

Snack

Gummy frogs and or worms, fish crackers, beverage
(or muskrat haystacks made from Chinese noodles mixed with melted chocolate)