The pond-side serenity is shattered by the sounds of the big yellow school bus arriving to discharge its gaggle of young students eager to dive into the new experience that awaits them.
Fueled by the inspiration, expertise, boundless energy and creative guidance of our first Board President, Karen Malkus-Benjamin, the BPC embarked on the planning, development and execution of the Pond Education Program in 2017.
The program provides each school with grade appropriate Pond Kits which include detailed Pond Curriculum Guides, lesson plans, classroom activities, games, crafts and reference materials, and culminates in an end of school year field trip to a Brewster Pond. BPC volunteers coordinate with the schools’ science teachers in aligning the curriculum according to grade level and scheduling the pond trips. |
Once at the pond, students are treated to “Pond Polly”, a puppet show performed by our volunteers, and then collect, observe, investigate and identify pond creatures at hula hoop research stations. Students also learn which macro-invertebrates indicate a "healthy pond."
Since the program’s inception, more than 600 students have experienced this unique and wonderful program, and no fewer than 33 BPC volunteers have welcomed school buses and students to the pond!
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BPC Volunteers create the Pond Kits which are donated to local schools and ‘refreshed’ annually. Our volunteers are also involved in a wide range of other activities from helping to prepare materials, setting up at the pond, cleaning, storing and transporting equipment, performing in the puppet show, and working with the students pond-side!
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"I like the idea of the kids seeing themselves as stewards of the area ponds... to see themselves as pond defenders.”
- AMIE GILBERT, 2nd GRADE TEACHER, STONY BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Virtual Children's Pond Education Program Videos
This program consists of a series of seven originally produced videos that Brewster science teachers use for classroom and in-home learning during this Covid era, when field trips are not possible. The videos are also available for parents and children to view right here! There is also a robust list of additional instructional resource links below. Click on images below to see videos.
Visit a Cape Cod pond and see what's living beneath the surface in this amazing eco-system.
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Polly’s Dream video is a virtual version of the puppet show 2nd grade students enjoy as part of their field trip experience.
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Turtle Pond Mystery is a puppet show that follows Polly and her friends to the 5th grade. Watch as they learn how by working together we can all keep our ponds healthy.
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Book 2 of 4 read aloud by Cape Cod author Susan Baur about three turtle sisters living their lives in a pond.
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When two little stinkpot turtles are threatened by a hungry snapping turtle, they inadvertently gain the protection of a swimmer. Book 3 of 4 by Susan Baur.
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Heidi Clemmer and artist, Marisa Picariello team up to produce informative and beautiful presentation of a Cape Cod pond ecosystem for children.
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Heidi Clemmer and artist, Marisa Picariello team produce yet another informative and beautiful presentation of a Cape Cod vernal pool ecosystem for children.
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Pond Education Materials
MORE VIDEOS READ ALOUD BOOKS (on YouTube)
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs, and Leaping Frogs by Anthony Fredericks Pond Circle by Betsy Franco Pond Walk by Nancy Wallace Soar High, Dragonfly by Sheri Mabry Bestor Walk Around the Pond: Who's Been Here by Lindsay Barrett George Would You Rather Be a Pollywog: All About Pond Life Bonnie Worth MORE VIDEOS
APCC: Cape Cod Ponds
A Pond is a Habitat - Grade 1 How Do Dragonflies See the World? Pond Habitat Pond Life - just video, no talking Six Easy Ways to Keep Your Water Clean Sky Hunters: The World of the Dragonfly Super Strong Dragonflies (fun video) Virtual Field Trip to a Pond Water Strider Videos WILTON Wildlife Preserve and Park CIRRICULUM BOOKS
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BOOKSSCIENCE ACTIVITIES
LIST FROM LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM
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MORE BOOKS
Be A Pond Detective: Solving Mysteries of Lake, Swamp & Pools by Peggy Kochanoff
In the Pond by Anna Milbourne, Matt Russell Kettle Pond Community by Heidi Clemmer Life Cycle: Dragonflies by Robin Nelson Life in a Pond by Allan Fowler #Life in Ponds & Streams by Wlliam Hopkins Amos Life in the Pond: Habitats Around the World by Craig Hammersmith |
Pond by Donald Silver
Pond by Jim LaMarche #Pond Life: Watching Animals Find Food by Hubert Wing Pond Water Zoo: An Introduction to Microscopic Life by Peter Loewer Salt Marsh Secrets by Heidi Clemmer Sticky Cecil in Operation Pond Rescue by Page Braddock |
The Turtle Sisters of Cape Cod by Susan Baur
The Turtle Sisters Learn the BEST New Trick by Susan Baur The Turtle Sisters Move to the Other Side of Cape Cod Pond by Susan Baur Mrs. Painted Turtle Disappears from Cape Cod Pond by Susan Baur A Guide to the Best Ponds on Cape Cod AND the Best Ways of Preserving Them by Susan Baur Welcome to the Pond by Ruth Owen |