Food Chains and Food Webs
St. Joan of Arc School
Grade 5


Introduction / Tasks / Resources / Evaluation / Outcomes

INTRODUCTION
    All organisms in an ecosystem are part of food chains and food webs.  But how do they interact with each other?  What does it mean to be at the "bottom" of a food chain?  How do the terms "producer" and "consumer" fit into the picture?  You now have an opportunity to explore food chains and food webs!  Let's begin the adventure!

TASKS
1.    Explain the terms "food chain" and "food web."
2.    Define the following:  photosynthesis, producer, consumer,
        and decomposer.
3.    Explain the difference between omnivores, carnivores, and
        herbivores.  Give one example of each.
4.    Create your own food web.  Use some old issues of nature-
        type magazines (ex. National Geographic, Field and
       Stream, Outdoor Life). Find and cut out 8 or 9 pictures of
        plants, animals, and decomposers that could be living
        together in one ecosystem.  Be sure to include the Sun.  Paste
        the pictures on a sheet of white paper. Draw arrows
        connecting the plants and animals to show feeding
        relationships. Be sure your arrows are pointing in the
        direction that the energy flows.  Label each organism as a
        producer, consumer. or decomposer.  In addition, label the
        consumers as herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

RESOURCES
Use the following to help in your study of food chains and food webs:
http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm 
http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/foodchains.html
 http://www.cas.psu.edu/DOCS/WEBCOURSE/WETLAND/WET1/balnat.html
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0309/quickflicks/
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/food/food_menu.html

You may also use the following reference material:
1.    Discovery Works: pp. D14-D20
2.    Encyclopedias

EVALUATION

1.    You will receive 20 points for the neatness of your paper.
        Your written answers must be in complete sentences, and
        there should be no spelling errors.
2.    You will receive 45 points for the accuracy of your written
        answers.
3.    You will receive 35 points for your food webs.  The webs
        should be completed in school during class.

Total amount of possible points: 100

OUTCOMES

This project will take between 2-3 weeks.  When you are finished, you will be able to do the following:

1.    Explain the terms "food chain" and "food web."
2.    Define the following:  photosynthesis, producer, consumer,
        and decomposer.
3.    Explain the difference between omnivores, carnivores, and
        herbivores.  Give one example of each.
4.    Most of all, have fun exploring and learning about an
        interesting topic!