A Year in the Pond: (Season to Season)
Season to Season Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
Follow the life of a small frog in the pond as it experiences the changes through the seasons, learning about life cycles and the environment. From ice skating to tadpoles and migrating birds, life in the pond changes from season to season. Discover how fish stay warm in winter. Learn why butterflies fly away in fall. Real-life photographs follow the seasons and capture the beauty of a year in the pond.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What differences did you notice in the pond as the seasons changed?
How do you think the frog feels throughout the different seasons? Why?
Which season would you like to visit the pond in and why?
Can you think of any other animals that might live in the pond? How might they react to changing seasons?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voice modulation to mimic the changing seasons as you read, making the shifts more vivid to the child.
Point out the illustrations that show changes in the pond’s environment, asking the child to describe what they see.
Encourage the child to relate the story to personal experiences, such as visits to a lake or changes in weather they have noticed.
After reading, consider exploring a local pond or park to observe seasonal changes in nature, linking real-life experiences with the book’s content.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of time and seasons
Explanation: The book chronicles the changes in a pond and its inhabitants over the course of a year, illustrating how seasons transition from one to another.
Real-World Application: Children can observe changes in their own environment across seasons, helping them grasp the passage of time and the cyclical nature of the year.
Example Lesson: Learning about ecosystem interdependence
Explanation: The story highlights various animals and plants in the pond and how they rely on each other for survival, showcasing the balance within an ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate and respect nature, understanding the importance of every creature and plant in maintaining ecological balance.
Example Lesson: Observational skills
Explanation: As the pond changes, children are encouraged to notice small details and variations in the environment.
Real-World Application: This can translate to better attention to detail in daily life, enhancing their observational and cognitive skills.
Example Lesson: Patience and perseverance
Explanation: The book shows how creatures in the pond adapt and survive through different seasons, illustrating the virtues of patience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these values in personal challenges, learning to wait and persist through difficulties.