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Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse
Pond 2: Life in a Drop of Pond Water
Lesson Description:
Students observe microscopic organisms found in pond water using a hand lens, 30x magnification, and 100x magnification. Observing these organisms should stimulate discussions about how single-celled living things might satisfy their needs for food, water, and air. They can do this by comparing the needs of macroscopic organisms to those of microscopic ones. It is important to remember that while watching microorganisms is informative, it is not always likely that students will be able to observe these tiny cells performing such functions as dividing or taking in food. Thus direct observation should be supplemented with films of living cells or by using prepared materials.
Students observe microscopic organisms found in pond water using a hand lens, 30x magnification, and 100x magnification. Observing these organisms should stimulate discussions about how single-celled living things might satisfy their needs for food, water, and air. They can do this by comparing the needs of macroscopic organisms to those of microscopic ones. It is important to remember that while watching microorganisms is informative, it is not always likely that students will be able to observe these tiny cells performing such functions as dividing or taking in food. Thus direct observation should be supplemented with films of living cells or by using prepared materials.
Lesson Type:
- Other
Sustainability Topic:
- Water
GEF Program Category:
- Sustainable Water Challenge
Time Needed:
2-3 hours
2-3 hours
Standards Addressed:
- 5C The Living Environment: Cells (3-5) #1
- 3A The Nature of Technology: Technology and Science (3-5) #2
Materials Needed:
At the pond:
In the lab:
At the pond:
- Fresh pond water
- Clear glass jar(s)
In the lab:
- Slides
- Droppers
- Hand lenses
- 30x microscopes
- 100x microscopes
Submitted By:
Green Education Foundation (GEF) on Behalf of Science Netlinks
Green Education Foundation (GEF) on Behalf of Science Netlinks
School or Group:
Science Netlinks
Science Netlinks
Contact Email:
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
service@greeneducationfoundation.org
Located in: Language Arts
