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Earth’s Layers: crust, mantle, core, & more. Plus a layers of the Earth-inspired density activity!

The text "study earth science! layers of the earth!" with A picture of a paper model of the layers of the earth
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In school, you usually learn that the three main layers of the Earth are the crust, mantle, and core. Geologists call these compositional layers because the layers are defined by the materials they are made of. However, geologists also think about how different layers of the Earth move: for example, do they flow easily? Are they rigid or soft? Are they solid or liquid? Because of this, geologists also classify Earth’s interior into five mechanical layers. The mechanical layers are based on movement and strength and include the lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, inner core, and outer core.

Before we dive in: If you’re an educator planning to teach the Earth’s layers, great activities are key to deepening understanding! I think you and your students will love my Earth’s Layers Model Activity, which you can also find within my complete Plate Tectonics Unit (plus you’ll support my blog with your purchase! ❤️)

Paper model of earth’s layers. Find printable templates and directions for this project here.

Now, let’s learn more about both the compositional and mechanical layers of the Earth:

A diagram of Earth's compositional and mechanical layers. Compositional layers are shown on the left. From outside to inside: crust, mantle, and core. The Mechanical layers are on the right. From outside to inside: lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, and inner core. Diagram by WildEarthLab.
Earth’s compositional and mechanical layers. Diagram by WildEarthLab.

Compositional Layers of the Earth

If you could cut the Earth in half, you would find that the Earth is made of three main compositional layers – crust, mantle, and core. Each layer has a unique composition – that is, what it is made of. First, the crust is a very thin layer on the surface made of rock. Beneath the crust lies the mantle, a thick layer of denser rock. Although the mantle is made of rock, it moves and flows like a liquid, only very, very slowly. Finally, the core is located in the very center of the Earth and is made of metals.

You may ask – why does the Earth have compositional layers? These layers are separated based on their densities. Just as oil will settle on top of water when mixed, Earth’s inner materials separate into layers based on density. The core is made of metal, making it very dense – that’s why it is at the center. In contrast, the least dense layer is the crust. In a way, the atmosphere could also be considered a compositional layer of the Earth. The atmosphere is made of gases, so it is even less dense than the crust!

Studying earth’s compositional layers with your students? Don’t forget to grab these worksheets as a part of my Earth’s Layers mini study.

Mechanical Layers of the Earth

Earth has 5 mechanical layers. “Mechanical” means defined based on their movement. Together, the crust and topmost portion of the mantle create the lithosphere. The lithosphere is a rigid layer that is broken into tectonic plates. Under the lithosphere lies a more pliable portion of the mantle called the asthenosphere. The soft asthenosphere flows most easily, allowing the tectonic plates to move atop it. We call the remaining, lower part of the mantle the mesosphere. Next, the outer core is a flowing liquid layer that creates Earth’s magnetic field. In contrast, the inner core is solid.

Why study the Earth’s layers?

Things happening within Earth’s layers impact our lives. For example, our planet’s metallic core generates a magnetic field. The Earth’s magnetic field is pretty amazing – it allows us to navigate by compass, protects the Earth from cosmic radiation, and creates beautiful northern lights.

Additionally, movements in the lithosphere (upper mantle and crust) cause everything from the creation of certain landforms and rocks to volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis! This is all tied to the theory of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics is important in the field of geology, and before we can study it, we must first understand the layers of the Earth.

Paper model of earth’s layers. Find printable templates and directions for this project in my shop.

Classroom Activity: Density Experiment & Earth’s compositional layers

colorful liquids in laboratory glasswares
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As we learned, three compositional layers of the Earth (crust, mantle, and core) are separated based on density. In this activity, explore how differences in density lead to layering. Matter (liquids, solids, or gases) with different densities may float above or sink below one another to form layers.

  1. In a tall glass or beaker, stack different liquids such as dish soap, water, vegetable oil, and rubbing alcohol. 
  2. Start by pouring in the most dense layer – the dish soap.
  3. Add the water next. Add liquids by pouring gently: hold the beaker at a slight angle and pour slowly to minimize mixing and bubbles forming.
  4. Add the oil next, pouring gently.
  5. Add the alcohol, pouring gently.
  6. As a bonus, you can drop small solid objects into the jar to see what level they sink to – for example, a piece of candle wax, a marble, and a small piece of Styrofoam.

More Ideas for Teaching Earth’s Layers

  • Students can build their own models of the Earth’s layers using play dough, construction paper, or printable templates.
  • Or, make a 3D model of the Earth’s layers by stacking nesting bowls representing each layer.
  • Try out Wild Earth Lab’s complete Plate Tectonics Unit. It includes all the activities, worksheets, and diagrams that you will need for a great Plate Tectonics unit with your class or homeschool.

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References and Further Reading

  1. C.C. Plummer, D.H. Carlson, and L. Hammersley (2019). Physical Geology. McGraw-Hill Education. (Chapter 1)
  2. Dobrijevic, D (2023). Earth’s layers: Exploring our planet inside and out. Spage.com. Available: https://www.space.com/17777-what-is-earth-made-of.html
  3. PBS Digital Studios (2016). Why does the earth have layers? Available: https://www.pbs.org/video/its-okay-be-smart-layers/
  4. ScienceBuddies.org (n.d.). Stacking Liquids. Available: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/liquid-stacking-density
  5. Super Experiment (2017). Amazing 7 Layer Liquid Stacking! (How To) Denser Than You Think. YouTube. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKHUNvMsF6U
  6. U.S. Geological Survey (1999). Inside the Earth.  Available:  https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/inside.html .

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10 Nature-inspired art projects for kids to try in your classroom!

A variety of brightly-colored art projects for kids laid out on a wooden table. Projects shown include animal masks, phenology wheels, color wheels in nature, resistance watercolor landscapes, textures in nature, scratch art, one-point perspective forests, and oil pastel planets on black paper!

Wild Earth Lab is supported by readers like you. This post includes links to my own products and affiliate products. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Today, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite nature art projects from my recent art camp, so that you can try them with your students too! These educational art projects will help students use art as a lens for learning about nature and science – all while trying new art mediums and creating beautiful masterpieces! I hope these nature art projects for kids bring joy to your classroom!

photograph of blank sketchbook and paint brushes

1. Nature’s color wheel

For this nature art project, students create their own color wheels – with a twist. Instead of drawing blotches of each color, have students draw things from nature that are each color of the rainbow. Start with a short brainstorming session as a class. Then, students draw their own color wheels with one thing from nature for each color.

This activity is also great for introducing the concept of biodiversity. The reason we have so many different colors of animals, plants, and flowers in nature is that we have many unique species! Teach students more about biodiversity and colors in nature with my Colors in Nature Activity Pack.

What goes great with nature art projects? Of course my Colors in Nature Activity Pack!

2. Trees with 1-point perspective

Ask students to sit in a circle around the base of a tall tree. Observe how the trunk appears narrower higher up. Then, show students how to use 1-point perspective to create the image of a tall tree or trees viewed from below.

As a bonus, teach your students about forest ecology and the symbiotic relationships of trees when you introduce this art project! It will add another layer of depth to this project and you might even learn something new too! Find my lesson plans for forests and trees below:

3. Animal masks

Why mess with a classic? Students can draw and cut out masks of their favorite animals.

Start by drawing a line down the middle of the paper and discussing symmetry. Next, have students line up the center of the paper with their noses and mark where their eyes should go, with the help of a classmate or teacher. Then, students can draw the animal’s face around the eyes and color it in with their art supplies of choice.

If you prefer printable mask templates, check out my osprey and owl mask templates.

4. Phenology wheels

Phenology wheels help us observe and connect with nature throughout each month of the year. Use a printed phenology wheel template for students or use a compass/string and a ruler to draw a circle and divide it into 12 sections – one for each month. You can also use a light wash of watercolor to create stunning gradient backgrounds for your phenology wheels.

Ask students to think of things they’ve seen in nature during the current month. Consider plants, seasonal changes, types of animals, animal behaviors, weather, and more. Fill out the current month, then send students home with the phenology wheel so they can keep adding to this nature art project during the rest of the year!

I like this free phenology template from the Montana Natural History Center and this one from the Bureau of Land Management too. There are also tons of other phenology wheel templates around the web.

5. Textures in nature

Practice drawing different textures using things from nature. Print out close-up images of bark, fur, scales, insect wings, shells, etc… or better yet, head out into nature and examine natural things up close (with the exception of wildlife, of course!).

Have students draw 4-6 different observed textures. Ask them to consider how their shading, linework, pressure, and color choices help to create the appearance of different textures.

6. Watercolors for creativity

This activity is a great way to practice letting go of rigid expectations for our art. This can be especially beneficial for anyone who tends to become frustrated when their drawings don’t turn out the way they intended.

First, have students use bright colors to create abstract watercolor blotches on a piece of paper. Once the paint dries, use a black pen to turn the blotches into wildflowers, plants, or other images. This is a similar idea to cloud watching and finding images in the clouds. Encourage students to “find” images in the abstract blotches rather than trying to force the blotches to become a desired form. Students will use the pen to accentuate images found within the abstract painting.

Encourage students to apply this technique in their artwork in general – especially when working with mediums that we cannot easily erase or undo, such as carving, colored pencils, and watercolors. Think about ways we can turn “mistakes” into part of the drawing, rather than starting over or giving up.

Need watercolor painting supplies and instructions? It may help to try a beginner-friendly watercolor art kit.

7. Resistance watercolors & mountain landscapes

It has been said that mountains are like the water towers of the world – they collect huge amounts of snow through the winter and then fill our streams and rivers with snowmelt in the spring.

Reflect on mountains’ important role in the water cycle while painting mountains with watercolors – but with a twist! Use crayons first to make a part of the drawing – e.g., snowcapped peaks, the sun over the mountains, a river flowing down from the mountains, etc… Then, paint over the crayon with watercolor. The wax from the crayons repels the watercolors – creating a cool, mixed-media effect!

You can teach your kiddos the basics of watercolors with a kids’ watercolor art kit. And if you want to go the extra mile and learn all about the water cycle while completing this craft, try out my Water Cycle Lesson:

8. Drawing spheres to make planets, moons, and suns

Space provided the building blocks for planet Earth. Similarly, 3D shapes provide the building blocks for much more complex images in art! Learning to draw and shade simple 3D shapes can help us become better artists.

Teach students how to trace a lid and shade a circle to make it look like a 3D sphere. Then, use oil pastels to draw planets, moons, suns, or other space objects on black paper. Your students will love the way these turn out!

Best yet, all you need is oil pastels and black paper to complete this art activity!

9. Scratch-art for nocturnal critters and nighttime

Teach students about nocturnal animals. Then draw your favorite nocturnal animals on scratch art boards. Owls, bats, raccoons, and moths are all great options.

Scratch-art sheets are the perfect medium for drawing nighttime scenes because you start with a dark canvas and then scratch the black coating off with a stylus to reveal a lighter color beneath. Scratch-art is also a great medium for underwater scenes, outer space, and geometric pattern work.

You can also learn more about nocturnal, diurnal, and crepuscular animals with my desert ecosystem mini study!

10. Picture charades

pexels-photo-8923942.jpeg

Picture Charades is always hilarious, fast-paced fun. To set up, pick a theme, then write words or common phrases related to that theme on little pieces of paper to put in a hat. For example, if the theme is “wildlife”, you could write down frog, butterfly, deer, snake, eagle, etc…

Then, divide the class into two groups. Each group sends one “illustrator” to the front of the room. The illustrators take one piece of paper from the hat and look at it together. When you say “go”, the two illustrators draw on the whiteboard while their teams guess. The illustrators should be silent and should not write any letters or words. The first team to correctly guess the word/phrase wins the round. Then, each team sends up a new illustrator. Repeat until everyone has taken a turn drawing, or for as long as desired.

Picture charades are a wonderful activity for taking a break in between more structured art projects. It provides a silly way to make art while moving around and having a laugh.

Picture Charade Ideas

Wildlife: frog, butterfly, deer, snake, eagle, robin, worm, rabbit, wolf, fish, bee, and skunk.

Forest: pine tree, pinecone, leaf, root, berries, vine, owl, fox, squirrel, bush, branch, and acorn.

Ocean: shell, seagull, wave, jellyfish, starfish, shark, seaweed, bubbles, beach, sand, dolphin, and sea turtle.

Pond: lily pad, algae, cattail, frog, tadpole, fish, dragonfly, duck, goose, water strider, turtle, and heron.

Explore units from Wild Earth Lab:

If you enjoyed the nature art projects in this post, I know you will love using my nature-inspired classroom units!

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Bird Beaks Lab: try this hands-on classroom activity to learn about adaptations and natural selection!

materials for a bird beaks lab activity for studying natural selection and animal adaptations
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Maybe you have already heard of a bird beaks lab. But if not, the basic idea is this: students use different “beaks” (e.g., chopsticks, tweezers), to pick up different “food sources” (pasta, seeds, peas). Throughout this process, students figure out which beak is the best for “catching” each food.

This is a hilarious and hands-on way to experience competition between species and learn about natural selection and animal adaptations. Students will experience first-hand how specialized beaks can help birds quickly gather the most food and outcompete other types of birds.

In this post, you will learn how to set up your bird beaks lab in your classroom!

Get the most out of this activity: If you’re an educator planning to teach this activity, you’ll find all the worksheets, printable directions, and visual aids you need in my Bird Beaks Lab Mini Study and also within my complete Waterbirds and Waterfowl Unit (plus you’ll support my blog with your purchase! ❤️)

Find these printable lab materials, featuring watercolor bird illustrations, in my Etsy shop

Gather Your Materials

Gather the following materials for the bird beaks lab:

Beaks:

  • Binder clip or chip clip
  • Tweezers
  • Fork
  • Slotted spoon or small strainer (holes should be smaller than a pea)
  • Chopsticks
  • Eyedropper

Food Sources:

  • Gummy candies (20+)
  • Sunflower seeds or grains of uncooked rice (20+)
  • Marshmallows (20+)
  • Peas (20+)
  • Cooked pasta such as bowties or spirals (20+ pieces)
  • Skinny container filled with water and food coloring (for use with eyedropper)

Other Materials:

  • Liquid measuring cup
  • 2 large bowls filled with water
  • 6 Paper cups or other containers
  • Paper plates
  • Food coloring
  • Permanent marker
  • Timer/watch
  • Towel for cleaning up spills
  • Lab worksheets (1 set per student)
Find these worksheets and handouts in my bird beak adaptations lab mini-study!

Set-Up

  1. Start by setting up six “food source” stations:
    • Place 20  gummy candies on a plate. Label the plate “insects”.
    • Place 20 grains of rice or seeds on a plate. Label the plate “seeds”.
    • Place 20 marshmallows on a plate. Label the plate “rodents”.
    • Place ~20 tsp (~100 mL)of food-colored water in a skinny container. Label the container “flower nectar”. Place a liquid measuring cup next to the container for students to deposit the water into.
    • Place 20 peas in a large bowl of water. Label the bowl “aquatic plants”.
    • Place 20 pieces of pasta in another large bowl of water. Label the bowl “fish”.
  2. Write “stomach” on each paper cup.
  3. Give each student a “stomach” and one of the 6 “beaks”. You can have each student use just one beak, then share answers with students who used other beaks afterward. Or, if you have a small group (and lots of time), you may wish to have each student try out each beak.

Lab Activity

  1. Have students rotate through the food source stations with their beaks.
  2. Instruct students to use their beaks to pick up as much food as they can in 20-60 seconds, placing food into the “stomach” containers. Start the timer and say “go!” (Longer periods may be necessary for very young groups).
  3. After 20-60 seconds, say “stop!”. Students should use the lab datasheets to record the number of pieces of food they picked up (or the volume of liquid at the flower nectar station).
  4. Instruct students to empty their “stomach” cups and put the station back the way it was before moving to the next station.
  5. Once finished with all stations, ask each student to share their beak’s results with the class. Determine which beak(s) worked best for each food source.
  6. Ask students to complete the graphing activity. Students will make a graph for each food source comparing the amount caught by each of the 6 beaks.
  7. Have students work through the reflection questions in groups or individually.

Other Suggestions

  • For groups larger than 6 students, create multiple copies of each station. Or, have groups of 6 take turns rotating through the stations for this lab while the rest of the class completes other work.
  • After or during this lab, discuss adaptations and natural selection. Explain how in nature, animals compete for the same food sources. Birds that can quickly and easily gather lots of food have the best chances of surviving and raising offspring. Ask students to consider what happens when two birds with different beaks compete for the same food source. Discuss how the availability of different food sources may affect the shape of birds’ beaks over time.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which beak(s) worked best for each food source?
  2. Imagine a habitat where two groups of waterbirds compete for aquatic plants to eat. One group of birds has a filtering beak (like the slotted spoon), and one group of birds has a short, grasping beak (like the clip). What do you think would happen to each group of birds over time?
  3. Imagine a bird species with a large, pointy beak (like the chopsticks) that eats seeds. Imagine that one year a few birds are born with shorter, more precise beaks (like the tweezers). Do you think the birds with the new beak type will thrive? What could happen to this bird species over time?

Printables for this Activity:

Find the printable materials for this activity in my Bird Beaks Mini Study. These same materials are also found within my complete Waterbirds and Waterfowl Unit:

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10 Waterbird and waterfowl activities for kids to try in your classroom!

bird masks and the text "waterfowl and waterbirds activity roundup!"

Waterfowl and other waterbirds are some of the best wildlife to go view with kids in wetlands and other natural areas, regardless of your location. If you are planning a waterfowl field trip – or a whole waterfowl and waterbird unit – this waterbird & waterfowl activities list is the place to start!

In case you are wondering, waterfowl are ducks, geese, and swans – birds in the biological order Anseriformes. Meanwhile, “waterbirds” is a more general term. Waterbirds refers to a large group including waterfowl and other water-loving birds. This includes wading birds (e.g., herons, egrets, cranes), shore birds (e.g., sand pipers, plovers), as well as loons, grebes, coots, cormorants, and more!

Try out some of these waterbird and waterfowl activity ideas with your class!

1. Waterfowl Origami

Fold an origami crane, swan, or duck. Or all three! Here are a few helpful online tutorials:

  • The National Crane Foundation‘s instructions for folding Origami Cranes – with printable directions and a video!
  • Fold an Origami Swan – with this video from Origami Plus – Easy Origami Tutorials on YouTube!
  • How to Fold an Origami Duck – with this easy tutorial from WikiHow

2. Birdwatching

Go on a birdwatching adventure at a local wetland or lake. Bonus: before you head out, print out a species checklist of local waterfowl and waterbirds!

Here are a few online resources to help you begin birdwatching like a pro!

Photo by Mike on Pexels.com

3. Bird Stories

Read a children’s book featuring waterfowl! Possibilities include “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey and “The Trumpet of the Swan” by E. B. White.

Here are some websites that put together lists of bird-related books:

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

4. Pond Projects

Learn more about waterbird habitats! Try out these pond activities. Or, check out complete my Pond Ecology Unit!

5. Bird Beaks

Try a bird beak lab – use different “beaks” (e.g., chopsticks, tweezers, slotted spoon), to pick up different “food sources” (pasta, seeds, peas). See which beak is the best at “catching” each food.

There are lots of versions of Bird Beaks Labs around the web. Here are a few good ones:

This bird beaks lab activity comes from my Waterfowl and Waterbirds Unit! Perfect for learning about animal adaptations and natural selection!

6. DIY Duck Calls

Learn how to create a simple duck call. Then listen to recordings of the different sounds ducks make. Can you imitate any of them?

Here are a few examples of easy DIY duck calls to get you started:

Photo by Billel Moula on Pexels.com

7. Swim like a swan!

Experience swimming like a swan (or duck, or grebe…)! Grab a pair of swimming flippers (aka snorkeling fins) and head to a local pool or swimming area.

Bonus: toss some diving rings and practice diving under the surface of the water like a diving duck to retrieve them!

8. Duck Masks & Art Projects

Do a waterbird art or writing project! Learn to draw or paint a waterbird from your area. Write a poem about your favorite waterbird! Decorate a duck mask! Write a short story. Sit by a wetland habitat as you sketch, draw, or nature-journal!

These duck masks are one of the many activities in my Waterfowl and Waterbirds Unit!

9. Be a Habitat Helper

Volunteer to help clean up waterbird habitat in your local area. Research local conservation groups to find out about park and natural area clean-up days in your community.

grey heron bird on wetland
Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels.com

10. Study Birds with Wild Earth Lab

Try out my Waterfowl and Waterbirds Unit in your classroom! It’s got lots of activities and all the worksheets, handouts, decorations, and guides you will need for a wonderous waterbirds unit in your classroom or homeschool!

Explore curriculum from Wild Earth Lab:

If you enjoyed these waterfowl activities, I know you will love using my environmental science materials in your classroom!

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Deciduous vs Coniferous Trees: differences between, examples, and learning activity!

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Trees are perennial plants with long, woody trunks. Trees of temperate latitudes are often grouped into two main categories: deciduous trees that lose and regrow their leaves each year, and coniferous trees that stay green year-round! Let’s take a closer look at deciduous vs coniferous trees…

Before we dive in: If you’re an educator planning to teach about trees in your classroom, great activities and visuals are key to deepening understanding! I think you and your students will love my complete Trees Unit (plus you’ll support this blog with your purchase! ❤️)

Deciduous Trees

View looking up at the rough bark of a tall deciduous tree

Here are a few properties of deciduous trees. A tree is a deciduous tree if it:

  • Has broad, flat leaves
  • Does photosynthesis during the warm growing season only
  • Leaves change color at the end of the growing season
  • Loses its leaves and regrows its leaves once a year

Examples of Deciduous Trees

  • Ash
  • Birch
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Willow

Coniferous Trees

pine tree

Here are a few characteristics of coniferous trees. A tree is coniferous if it:

  • Has needles
  • Does photosynthesis year-round, but may slow down in winter
  • Needles stay green year-round (“evergreen”)
  • Needles stay on branches year-round
  • Has cones

Examples of Conifers

  • Cedar
  • Fir
  • Juniper
  • Pine
  • Spruce

Other Evergreens

It’s worth noting that conifers are not the only trees that stay green year-round. You will find many evergreen trees growing at tropical latitudes around the equator. This is because close to the equator, there is little to no temperature difference between summer and winter. Consequently, you will find many unique types of trees growing in the tropics that do not need to shed leaves in wintertime. One example is a palm tree.

Learning Activity Idea:

Close up of tattered, damp pinecone help up in front of a forested background.

Play “Deciduous or Coniferous?” Collect samples of parts from several different deciduous and coniferous trees (leaves, needles, seedpods, flowers, fruits, cones, etc.). Grab two jars and label one “deciduous” and one “coniferous”. Ask your child to sort the parts into the jars.

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If you enjoyed this post, I think you will love my Trees Unit! It’s a complete set of printable learning materials for teaching kids all about trees – featuring my illustrations! You’ll learn about deciduous vs coniferous, tree anatomy, life cycles, tree ring science, and more!

Read More About Trees:

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10 pond activities to try in your classroom!

banner advertising a blog post with a pond activity round up and an image of a pond food web on a whiteboard

Wild Earth Lab is supported by readers like you. This post includes links to my own products and affiliate products. If you purchase through links on my site, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Ponds are an amazing place to teach children about ecology, biodiversity, and wildlife. Here are 10 fun pond activity ideas to try out with your students! I hope these lesson ideas help you have a great pond field trip or pond unit study with your class.

A Special Note For Teachers: are you planning to teach your students about ponds? For great printable handouts, worksheets, and activity directions, look no further than my complete Pond Ecology Unit. Plus, you’ll support this blog with your purchase! 💚

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1. Bird Biodiversity:

Grab your binoculars and go birdwatching for waterfowl at a local pond or wetland! How many different types of birds can you spot? Find a bird guidebook or waterfowl species checklist for your local area. Can you identify any of the birds you see? And if you are ready to take flight into the amazing world of wetland birds, I recommend trying my Waterfowl and Waterbirds Unit or reading my blog post about Waterbird Activities.

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2. Aquatic Insects:

Did you know that the larvae of many common insects like dragonflies and mayflies live in pond water? Flip over rocks and logs in shallow water and see how many aquatic insects you can find! Learn more about the different types of aquatic insects in my recent blog post or grab some materials and worksheets for identifying common aquatic insects in my Aquatic Insects Mini Study! Finding aquatic insects is one of my personal favorite pond activities and I think your students are going to love it too!

photo of printed classroom handouts for learning about aquatic insects
Study aquatic insects – the cool critters living at the bottom of ponds and streams- with these unique printable study aids!

3. Pond Dipping:

Learn about some of the tiniest of pond plants & critters. Grab a sample of pond water and look at it under a microscope or with a magnifying glass. What can you see?

Beulah Hill Pond
Beulah Hill Pond by Stephen McKay is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

4. Petite Pond:

Create your own mini model of a pond habitat in an aquarium or tank. Include abiotic features like rocks and sand, and biotic features like pond plants, algae, and sticks. You can even go a step further and capture a few aquatic insects such as water beetles to release into your habitat!

Prefer a kit? Skip the hassle of gathering materials by trying a Wabi Kusa Ecosystem Kit – perfect for making your very own pond ecosystem in a pretty vase!

5. Froggy Fun:

Study the frog life cycle and learn about the roles that frogs play in pond ecosystems. Then learn to fold an origami frog with this tutorial!

Frog arts and crafts for kids, fold an origami jumping frog
You can also grab this Origami Frog activity in my Frog STEM Unit!

6. Riparian Research:

Teach students about riparian areas: the ecologically important boundary zones between water and land. After teaching students about riparian areas, ask students to research a favorite plant or animal that lives in or uses riparian areas – there are many possibilities, including cattails, willows, waterfowl, and frogs. I’ve created some complimentary animal research project worksheets that you can download for free. To access these worksheets and my full library of free learning resources, sign up for my newsletter using the link below:

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Find these free worksheets and more on my free learning resources page!

7. Give Back to Nature:

Participate in a clean-up day at a local pond or wetland. Help pick up trash to improve a pond ecosystem! Then you can stick around afterwards to complete some of the other pond activities. You can also read about the signs of a healthy aquatic ecosystem in these two blog posts:

8. Try nature journaling!

Use different senses to observe the pond! Then write or draw about it. You can find guided natural journals with weekly prompts on Etsy like this one (external link). Or, for a free option, I’ve put together this free pond nature journaling page for kids. To access the free journaling page (and more free resources), sign up for my email newsletter below:

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A worksheet for a visit to a pond

9. Pond Scavenger Hunt:

Ponds are a great place to observe tons of biodiversity! See how many different species you can spot with this free pond scavenger hunt worksheet:

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A worksheet for a scavenger hunt

10. Try out my Pond Ecology Unit:

If you enjoyed these pond activity ideas, I think you’re going to love my Pond Ecology Unit! It includes tons of activities, worksheets, posters, and more for an awesome pond unit study – all featuring my artwork!

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Or, find more Wild Earth Lab Units to try…

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What are the different types of pollination? How animal, water, and wind pollination methods work

Poster that says "study pollination methods" and "wind, water, and animal pollinators" and "with tons of pollination activity ideas to try in your classroom!"

You might already know that pollination is the transfer of pollen from the stamen (male flower part) to the carpel (female flower part) of a flowering plant. Once pollinated (via any of the pollination methods), the plant forms a fruit. Fruits contain seeds, which will grow into the next generation of plants. Read more about flower anatomy and download a free flower anatomy diagram here.

Pollination Methods Diagram featuring my colored pencil art!

Different plants are pollinated in different ways. Some plants self-pollinate, meaning a flower is pollenated with pollen from the same plant or even the same flower. Alternatively, many plants cross-pollinate, meaning they receive pollen from a different plant of the same species. Since plants cannot move, they usually need some help to transfer their pollen to other flowers or plants. For instance, many plants need the help of animals called pollinators. However, some plants are pollinated by the wind carrying their pollen to other flowers. Additionally, some aquatic (water-living) species of plants rely on water for pollination: they release pollen into the water so it can float to other plants. Below, I will explain more about each of the three different pollination methods: animal pollinators, wind, and water.

Download my printable learning materials to learn all about animal pollinators!

Pollination Method 1: Animals

Animal pollination is when a plant relies on an animal pollinator to carry its pollen between flowers. Examples of animal pollinators include bees, butterflies, and beetles. However, many other types of insects and animals can be pollinators in some cases including mammals, reptiles, and birds!

Flowers pollenated by animals have an incredibly wide variety of colors, shapes, scents, and sizes depending on the pollinator that they need to attract. Animal pollination is the most common pollination method. It is estimated that around 80% of plants are pollinated by animal pollinators, rather than by abiotic forces like wind and water.

Pollination Method 2: Wind

Wind pollination is when a plant creates large amounts of light-weight pollen which is carried between flowers by the wind. You have probably seen wind-borne pollen – perhaps in spring or summer you have gone outside to find the surfaces of patio furniture and cars covered in a fine yellow powder. Maybe you have even started sneezing or itching your eyes because your body reacts to the pollen in the air. Scientists estimate that somewhat less than 20% of plants are pollinated by the wind. For example, some trees, grasses, and corn use the wind pollination method.

Beulah Hill Pond
Beulah Hill Pond photo by Stephen McKay

Pollination Method 3: Water

Water pollination occurs when plant releases its pollen into water or onto the surface of water. Pollen floats or flows through or across the water between flowers. Some aquatic plants use this pollination method, but overall, very few plants are pollinated via water. Scientists estimate that less than 1% of all plants are pollinated via water.

Teach Pollination in Your Classroom:

1. Explore pollination & plants with Wild Earth Lab!

2. Further Reading:

3. Free Pollination Learning Resources:

Unusual pollinators game – directions and cards. Students ask yes/no questions to identify the pollinators taped to their backs.

Free Printable Flower Anatomy Diagram Poster

Flower Anatomy Diagram – Coloring Activity

Flower Bingo

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References and Further Reading

  1. Houston Zoo (2018). Unusual Pollinators and the Plants They Love. Available: https://www.houstonzoo.org/blog/unusual-pollinators-plants-love/
  2. Maryland Grows (2020). Gone with the wind: a look at wind pollination. University of Maryland Extension. Available: https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2020/04/13/gone-with-the-wind-a-look-at-wind-pollination/
  3. Mize, A. (2018). Lizards, mice, bats, and other vertebrates are important pollinators too. The Ecological Society of America. Available: https://www.esa.org/blog/2018/04/04/vertebrate-polinator-metaanalysis/
  4. USDA Forest Service (n.d.). Pollination Strategies. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Plant_Strategies/index.shtml
  5. USDA Forest Service (n.d.). Wind and Water Pollination. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/wind.shtml

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