Build a Classroom Frog Pond

So What's involved in Building a Frog Pond? 

Children will learn best if they are completely involved in the process of helping to create the pond.Start by brainstorming all the reasons why you would like to have a frog pond and all the things that could be learned from it.Go outside and look for the perfect spot.Read all about creating a pond.Pick several spots and have a class vote to choose the actual spot. (Social Studies) But don't stop there.

1. Find a spot.

2. Collect materials and tools.

Photo Credit: Rocks for the Pond
on Flickr, Creative Commons.

3. Dig out a hole and line it with a waterproof pond liner.

4. Weigh the liner down with rocks and fill the pond with water.

5. Add plants and other landscaping.

6. Find a source for NATIVE frogs.

How to Build A Water Garden or Fish Pond

Step-by-step instructions for building your own watergarden or fish pond.

Attracting Frogs to Your Pond 

Keeping your pond clean

Backyard Frog Pond

Photo Credit: Backyard Frog Pond
by Shelby Snider

Shelby has a Wildlife Habitat Garden at her home in Virginia and here she is inviting frogs. I promise you, if you build a pond, the frogs will find it.

They say the best way to cut down on algae in your pond is to keep at least 2/3s to 3/4s of the surface water covered with plants, which Shelby has managed to accomplish.

Eco Backyard Wildlife Ponds and Water Features

Photo Credit: Backyard Pondon Flickr, Creative Commons.
Photo Credit: Backyard Wildlife Pondon Flickr, Creative Commons

There is no better way to bring wildlife to your yard than with a wildlife pond. A natural water feature will attract native and migratory birds, beneficial bats, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Backyard ponds also replace wetland habitat lost to urbanization.

A properly built pond should also keep your yard largely free of mosquitoes. Take into account that a Koi or a fish pond is not the same as a wildlife pond. A wildlife pond does not rely on expensive equipment and filters, although you can choose to install a filter if you wish. However, a good combination of aquatic plants should serve as a filter to keep your pond filtered and healthy.

Learn how to build your wildlife pond...

Building a Classroom Pond Almost for Free. 

How To Build a Classroom Pond - Cheap & Safe

OK, what are your options? Can it be done cheaper and quicker? Yes. I have seen ponds at lawn and garden shops made simply by laying cinder blocks on the floor to shape the pond, then draping the liner over them and capping the top with a row of rock (which would be optional.) The goal is finding some way to shape the pond and contain the water safely.

A way to cut costs with the liner is to call a few swimming pool companies and ask if they have old swimming pool liners to give away. While not as heavy as commercial pond liners, I think by using two layers they are just as safe. We built a pond in our back yard with one and direct sunlight tends to break it down, but indoors you should have nothing to worry about.

Why don't the Water Striders Sink? 

Walking On Water: Water Striders and Surface Tension

This sample activity investigates the specific question of the effect of a pollutant, sodium docedyl sulfate (SDS), on the mobility of water striders. SDS is found in most household detergents and is known to reduce the surface tension of water.

Water striders are dependent on surface tension of water to move around and capture food. The hypothesis is that the water strider will break the surface tension and sink at some concentration of detergent.