Are you looking for some Ponds children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
The Pond is a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Pond books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Ponds, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. All Eyes on the Pond by Michael J. Rosen
Describes the things seen by the various animals that live in and around a pond, including a dragonfly, snapping turtle, spider, ant, snail, water strider, bat, crawdad, bluegill, frog, duck, and swallow.
Stunning images accompanied by descriptive verses allow readers to observe the muddy deep environment of a pond from its inhabitants’ perspectives, from the inside of a turtle shell to the webbed viewpoint of a spider.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ponds Literature List
- Classroom Booklet: “All About Ponds”
- Ponds Counting
- My Ponds Story: Student Worksheets
2. Down by the Cool of the Pool by Tony Milton
Down by the pool in the cool of the day, Frog cried, “Wheeeee! Can you dance like me? Join sprightly Frog and his energetic farmyard friends frolicking down by the cool of the pool.
They are flipping and flopping, splishing and splashing, stomping and stamping in their watery wonderland. A wacky rhyming text with lots of noises for joining in, and zany illustrations too – guaranteed to make kids laugh!
Literacy Extensions:
- “In the Pond” Classroom Book
- “Ponds Counting” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Ponds vs Oceans
- Ponds Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. In the Small, Small Pond by Denis Fleming
Award-winning author/illustrator Denise Fleming gives young readers a frog’s eye view of life in a pond throughout the seasons in the Caldecott Honor Book, In the Small, Small Pond.
A child explores the wonders of the natural world in this rhyming, beautiful bright colored picture storybook about the lives of small animals and insects living around a freshwater pond.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Ponds”
- Ponds Story Parts Worksheet
- Paper Plate Frog Art Project
- Ponds Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner
In this gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal bring to life a secret underwater world. In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond.
Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the pond is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, tadpoles growing. These and many other secrets are waiting to be discovered…over and under the pond.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ponds Literature List
- Ponds Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Ponds Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Frog Paper Plate Art Project
5. Pond Walk by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
Buddy and his mother are spending a relaxing day at Pete’s Pond. As Mama tells Buddy about the animals, bugs, and plants they see, Buddy sketches them on his drawing pad. Ducks! Whirligig beetles! Lily pads!
Buddy is curious about everything, but most of all, he hopes to see a turtle. And he does, but not the kind he expected! This book, illustrated with photographs and cut-paper artwork, is a perfect introduction to environmental science and biology, but will also be useful to all enthusiastic pond goers. A make-a-rock turtle craft activity is included.
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Ponds” Classroom Book
- Ponds Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Ponds Snake Art Project
- Ponds Add & Subtract Match Game
6. Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert
In this New York Times Best Illustrated Book, brightly colored fish paired with interactive die-cut pages introduce young children to counting and basic addition in this fun and accessible concept book by Caldecott Honor–winning author-illustrator Lois Ehlert.
Bold and vibrant fish who fill this playful deep sea adventure are sure to school and delight young readers with each page turn. Easy-to-read text and graphic shapes make this book the perfect counting classic to gift to every little one’s library.
Literacy Extensions:
- Ponds Word Bank
- Ponds Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Ponds Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Ponds Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Ten Tiny Tadpoles by Debbie Tarbett
Ten tiny tadpoles wriggling in a line. One went chasing dragonflies, so that left, nine! Follow the adventures of these bright, bold, 3D tadpoles in this fun and funky counting book with a surprise pop-up page at the end! Customer Reviews Be the first to write a review!
Literacy Extensions:
- “Ponds Senses” Student Booklet
- Ponds Make a Short Vowel Word
- Ponds Sight Word Games
- Ponds Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Jump, Frog, Jump by Robert Kalan
This is the turtle that slid into the pond and ate the snake that dropped from a branch and swallowed the fish that swam after the frog “JUMP, FROG, JUMP!”
This infectious cumulative tale will have the young frogs you know jumping and chanting with joy. Jump, Frog, Jump has been a winning story-time favorite long enough for it to have teacher and parent fans who first enjoyed it in their own preschool classroom.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Went to the Ponds” Classroom Book
- Ponds Letter & Sound Match Game
- Ponds Build a Word
- Ponds Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Pond children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Ponds books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
