Pond Dipping: A recount of a boy and his mother esploring their local pond (Collins Big Cat Phonics)

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You’ll be amazed at the different types of creatures you will find. To help you get started on your pond dipping expedition we have put together a simple guide that covers all you need to know. Let’s get started! Pond dipping is a fun and natural way to teach children how to safely manage and take risks as well as teaching them about the different overlooked creatures that make up a pond. It is important for children to learn the value of conserving the natural environment. Collecting pots– Although it’s perfectly fine to observe your catch directly in the tray, individual pots, particularly those with a magnifying lid, are helpful for looking more closely at individual specimens. Use a net to dip into the pond. Sweeping in a figure of eight will ensure that you retain the catch. Areas around the edge of the pond, especially near vegetation, tend to be the most productive. Take care not to scoop up mud from the bottom of the pond, as this will clog up your net and make it difficult to see what you have caught. Anyone can take part in pond dipping, it’s simple and doesn’t cost much at all. This popular outdoor learning activity for children can be taken part in at school and at home. It is also a great way for adults to practice mindfulness and reconnect with nature. We had lots of fun pond dipping together.

From their observations, ask the children to act out the way the pond creature’s move. Many pond creatures have distinct ways of moving e.g. leech – extends and contracts, water boatman – swims using led paddles, worms – wiggle. This could be carried out in a P.E. or swimming lesson. National projects You’re ready to start dipping! It’s time to move your net through open water with the whole of the net bag under the surface. Swirl your net through the water and try to make a figure of eight as you do it. Different creatures prefer different depths of the pond so make sure you sweep from the surface to towards the bottom. Move away from the edge of the pond but be careful as it can get slippery! Empty your catch into the container filled with pond water. As the water settles you’ll be able to see the creatures moving around. Record and find out what animals you have caught then repeat the process. Pond Dipping Lesson Plan – can be carried out within a 1-hour lesson (excluding preparation) Preparation Ask them to stand in their groups of three, behind the equipment and facing the pond. This keeps them away from the water’s edge until you have carried out theGills, streamlining, hairy leg paddles, webbed feet, air bubbles/sacs, siphons that work like snorkels and use of surface tension are all examples of adaptations to life on or in water. Teacher Demonstration

You could expand the activity to investigate the effect that time of year/seasonal changes have, depth of sample or temperature of the water on the species found, or do a comparison of the species found in two different On the day, before the students arrive, fill the observation trays with pond water to a few centimetres deep, and spread them out around your pond, at least 3 metres away from the water’s edge. You could take part in the OPAL Water Survey, the ‘Big Spawn Count’ or the ‘Big Pond Dip’ Recording Sheets When the students arrive, carrying their SmartCases and equipment, they should place their pond nets next to the observation trays along with the observation dishes, plastic spoons and ID guides. If you have a garden with a pond or family/friends with one you can use that’s ideal. Don’t worry if not, there’s plenty of ponds or streams in parks or green spaces. Some parks and nature reserves will even have special pond dipping platforms.

Common pond insects 

Made at our workshop in Devon, the Pond Net is a high quality, lightweight net with a removable bag for cleaning. The bag is made from woven 1mm mesh which is ideal for pond life. Also available in a telescopic version. Approach the edge of the pond and demonstrate the pond dipping method; demonstrate how to dip with the nets, standing sideways to the water with both knees bent. Ask all the children to practice this position where they currently stand, and emphasise that standing face on to the pond makes it easy to lose balance and fall in. Staying close to the edge of the pond, preferably in a shady spot if it’s a warm sunny day, take your pond tray (pail or container) and fill it about 1/3 to 1/2 way full with pond water. This is where your child will bring their pond critters to observed them. Step 4: Dip the net into the pond. This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen.