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Life science · Grades 6–8

A Pond Population Changes

How are two pond populations linked over time?

The lesson

What students do

A park team counts small fish and herons at one pond. Look for a pattern and decide what the counts can and cannot show.

  1. Read the fish and heron counts for each month.
  2. Chart both populations over time.
  3. Look for rises, falls, and possible delays.
  4. Choose results that support a careful conclusion.

For teachers

Standards connections

This short investigation supports parts of these standards. It does not cover the full standard by itself.

MS-LS2-2Use population patterns to discuss interactions among organisms.

PracticeAnalyze and interpret data.

Big ideaPatterns

Included results

Where the results came from

Made-up classroom counts included with ConductClass

These counts are not from a real pond or wildlife survey.

Science source: NGSS Middle School Ecosystems

Included

Ready for one class period.

Student instructions Included results Chart choices and calculations Teacher notes and review guide

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