Food Web Follies
Title: Food Web Follies
Subject: Science
Grade Level: 7
Overview:
This lesson helps students develop a better understanding of how the energy flows in a food web.
Approximate Duration: one 50 min. class period
Content Standards:
Life Science
The students will become aware of the characteristics and life cycles of organisms and understand their relationships to each other and to their environment.
Science and the Environment
In learning environmental science, students will develop an appreciation of the natural environment, learn the importance of environmental quality, and acquire a sense of stewardship. As consumers and citizens, they will be able to recognize how our personal, professional, and political actions affect the natural world.
Benchmarks:
LS-M-A4
describing the basic processes of photosynthesis and respiration and their importance to life; (1,4,5)
LS-M-C2
modeling and interpreting food chains and food webs; (1,2,3,4)
LS-M-C3
investigating major ecosystems and recognizing physical properties and organisms within each; (1,2,3,4,5)
LS-M-C4
explaining the interaction and interdependence of nonliving and living components within ecosystems. (1,2,3,4,5)
SE-M-A1
demonstrating knowledge that an ecosystem includes living and nonliving factors and that humans are an integral part of ecosystems; (1,3,4,5)
SE-M-A2
demonstrating an understanding of how carrying capacity and limiting factors affect plant and animal populations; (1,2,3,4,5)
SE-M-A5
tracing the flow of energy through an ecosystem and demonstrating a knowledge of the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in the ecosystem; (1,2,3,4,5)
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
Grade 7
40. Construct or draw food webs for various ecosystems (SE-M-A5)
24. Analyze food webs to determine energy transfer among organisms (LS-M-C2)
26. Describe and compare the levels of organization of living things within an ecosystem (LS-M-C3)
27. Identify the various relationships among plants and animals (e.g., mutualistic, parasitic, producer/consumer)(LS-M-C4)
Educational Technology Standards:
Use multimedia tools and desktop publishing to develop and present computer-generated projects for directed and independent learning activities.
Objectives:
TLW cut/paste animal pictures and create a food web.
TLW trace the path of energy in a food web.
TLW write a paragraph explaining the importance of photosynthesis in all food webs.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
animal worksheet
construction paper
paper/pen
glue stick
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Computer
Printer
Software:
Microsoft Word
Websites:
Food Webs For Kids
http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/kids_web.htm
Fun with Food Webs
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html
Background Information:
This activity should follow a discussion of producers, consumers, decomposers, food webs and food chains. This activity is also a hands on approach to creating food webs.
Lesson Procedures:
1. Review with students terms relative to the activity: producer, consumer, decomposer, food web, food chain, photosynthesis, energy transfer.
2. Pass out worksheet. Explain to students they will cut out pictures, paste them in order on a food web, and label each correctly.
3. Students will utilize the computer/printer in the classroom to type names of animals and print them out for cutting/pasting on the food web.
4. Teacher will pass out scissors, glue sticks, and construction paper to students.
5. Teacher will assist students if they are unfamiliar with where an animal fits into the given food web.
6. After students finish completing food web, they are to draw a sun. Explain that the sun is the most important energy source in any food web.
7. When students turn in their food web, they are to write a paragraph explaining the role photosynthesis plays in food webs.
Assessment Procedures:
Students will be graded on the finished product turned in on the above rubric scale. Paragraphs will also be graded.
Accommodations/Modifications:
Students needing extra help will be given a food web with words already placed on the page. The student will only have to cut and paste the pictures.
----- written by Lynne Anders
Reproducible Materials:
Food Web Follies
Food Web Follies Rubric
Explorations and Extensions:
Students will be improving their writing skills by writing and editing the paragraph.
Lesson Development Resources:
GLE Related Material
http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde/saa/1914.html
Contact Information:
Lynne Anders
lynne.anders@mcschools.net
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