Pond Animals During The Seasons

Using Sammy's Science House CD ROM, kindergarten students get to interact with a virtual pond during the four seasons.  The student are able to visit an Acorn Pond during the winter, spring, summer and fall to explore its wildlife.  This program is filled with animation, sound and lots movement to engage the senses.  As an added feature, the kids are able to use the "Explore the Field Notebook" to find out facts about the animals in The Acorn Park.
 

Materials:

Computer, printer, Sammy's Science House CD ROM
 

Procedures:

After having already discussed the seasons with your students, allow them explore and interact with the Acorn Pond during the four seasons. 
Have the students to print the four pages and compile them into a pond animal seasonal resource guide.
Discuss with students the parts of an acrostic poem- you write each letter of a word vertically and add a word using that first letter that describes the topic:

Friendly
Reserved
Omnivore
Green

Use a thesaurus to expand vocabulary
Have students work in groups to write a draft of a poem
Edit
Go to computer and write second draft
Proofread, spell check, print
Poems can be posted at Kid Authors 
 

Home Learning:

The students are to chose their favorite pond life animal and make a shoebox diorama of it in its habitat during one of the seasons.
 

Evaluation:

Using the computer "Explore the Field Notebook" allow the students to research their favorite pond animal. Have them to draw a picture of this animal and copy one or two factual items about it.

Extension: Celebrate Amphibian Day

• Use a program that makes borders, has clip art, and word art
• Brainstorm with students what an amphibian day poster would contain: date, place, graphics, time, schedule of events
• Plan Amphibian Day activities: showcase student work, invite parents, student demonstrations...
• Have students design an amphibian day poster
• Add a border
• Add text
• Add clip art or insert graphics from Internet
• Proofread, spell check, print
• Hang in classroom
• Invite parents

Book Resources:

• Nature's Children "Turtles" by Merebeth Switzer
• Nature's Children "Mallard Ducks" by Bill Ivy
• Look Closer "Pond Life" An A. Dorling Kindersley Book
• A New True Book "Pond Life" by Lynn M. Stone
• Life in Ponds and Streams by Williams H. Amos
• The Hidden Life of the Pond Text by David M. Schwartz/Photos by Dwight Kuhn
• Winter by Ron Hirschi
• Summer by Ron Hirschi
• What Happens In The Spring: Book for Young Explores/National Geographic Society