PROGRAM OUTLINE (2 HOURS)
This program allows the students to examine the interrelationship between non-living things, plants, and animals in a pond community. With the activities in this study, we hope to develop a respect for life, and awareness of the interdependence of living things, and an understanding of pond food chains.

INTRODUCTION (Puppet Show)
Freddy and several insects from the pond teach a little girl about adaptations animals need to live in the pond. Freddy also reminds the children to have respect for all living things.

POND VISIT

LIVING COMPONENT - use nets to catch and observe animals that live in a pond.

NON-LIVING COMPONENT - measure and record the temperature and depth of the water.
- observe and record the movement of the water and the appearance of
the bottom of the pond.

PREVISIT PREPARATION
Students should be familiar with:
- characteristics of a pond
· community concept- a variety of living and non-living things living in the same area
· interrelationships between living and non-living things
· life cycles (names of various stages i.e. egg, larva, nymph
· observation skills
· Please stress to the students that they will not be able to keep any animals. Have them give reasons why this would be a good rule.

CLASSROOM IDEAS:

1. Have students use classroom and library resources to research life that can be found at the pond.

2. Compile a list on chart paper categorizing the living and non-living things around a pond.

3. Use an aquarium to build an indoor pond.