Food Chain 4th Grade

Introduction

In this web-quest you will learn what a food chain is, how to create a food chain, and the language a real scientist uses when discussing food chains. 

While learning what a food chain is you will use a variety of resources and be asked to work in groups.      

Task

First, you will be asked to visit websites to gain background knowledge of information & vocabulary.   

Later you will find a �Tic-Tac-Toe� board filled with possible project choices.  You have to make a tic-tac-toe by selecting any three that go: up or down, side-to-side, or diagonal.  You may complete all assignments with a partner, group of three, or by yourself.  When you have finished all three projects you will present them to the class. 

*You will find the "Tic-Tac-Toe" located under the "Process" portion of this wed-quest.        

Process

Ok so lets get started!

1. After I have assigned you to a group you will need to find the answers to the questions asked  using the web resources or books given.  Look at the attachment below labeled "group assignment" and see what you are needing to research; tomorrow you will be filling the class in on the following information, so be sure it is accurate! There are links below to help you find the answers needed as well as books in the back of the classroom. 

http://www.vtaide.com/png/foodchains.htm Vocabulary, Videos, and creating a food web

http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_foodchain.html Food Chain Facts

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0309/quickflicks/   Movie

http://www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/fooodchains.htm        ...This page has tons of information you may look at and you may also click on the links at this page.  

 2. Now that you have built up some background knowledge on food chains, you will be assigned with a partner or a group of 3 to complete your tic-tack-toe board.  You have 8 choices possible, but can only choose

3.  Remember to be a tic-tack-toe it needs to be 3 IN A ROW! You may not pick at random! Be sure  you and your partners agree upon what you would like to do.  I have examples of each so ask if you would like to look at them! Below are more links you might find helpful. Remember you will be presenting to the class.  * If you would like to work alone please let me know.  

  • exploring ecosystems

  • energy transfer

  • What is a food chain?

  • food chain with fish

  • food chains and webs

  • difference between a food chain and a food web

  • food chain chart

  • Earth's biomes

  • ecology dictionary

  • animal adaptations

  • 4 parts of a food chain

  • 3 and 4 link food chains

  • decomposer food chains

    3. When you and your group have finished you may play some games with my approval! The links are below�. Enjoy!!

    GAMES

  • http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/foodpuzzlechaina.html 

    http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/frogs/chain_reaction/index.cfm#

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/activities/food_chains.shtml    

  • Group Assignment

     

    Group 1:

    Give a definition along with some animals in each category

    Consumers

     

     

    Herbivore

     

     

    Prove or disprove the following statements, and tell why.

     

    Food chains consist of a least 3 to 4 parts, but usually no more than 5 parts.

     

    Answer the following questions

     

    Create a three-part food chain; you may use pictures if needed.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Why are plants important to all food chains?

     

     

    Any other interesting facts ….

     

    Group 2: Give a definition along with some animals in each category

    Carnivore

     

     

    Omnivore

     

     

    Prove or disprove the following statements, and tell why.

    Plants don’t effect food chains.

     

    Answer the following question

     

    What does energy have to do with food chains?

     

     

    Any other interesting facts ….

     

     

    Group 3: Give a definition along with some animals in each categor

    Prey

     

     

    Decomposer

     

    Prove or disprove the following statements, and tell why.

    Ecologists are scientists who are interested in food chains, webs, and pyramids.

     

     

    Answer the following questions

     

     

    What would happen if part of a food chain were removed?

     

     

    Any other interesting facts ….

     

     

    Group 4: Give a definition along with some animals in each category

    Producers

     

    Predator

     

     

    Prove or disprove the following statements, and tell why.

     

    Every food chain begins with the sun.

     

    Oceans don’t have food chains

     

     

     

    Answer the following questions

     

    Is a carnivore the last link in a food chain?

     

     

    Any other interesting facts ….

     

     

    Group 5: Give a definition along with some animals in each category

    Food chain

     

     

    Food web

     

     

    Prove or disprove the following statements, and tell why.

    Humans have the most impact on food chains.

     

     

    Answer the following questions

    What roll does the sun play in food chains?

     

     

    Tic-Tack-Toe

     

     

     

    1. Diorama

    Using a shoebox create an authentic food chain which clearly shows a 4-part food chain. 

    4. Mobile

    Pick an animal that has a 5-part food chain and create a mobile out of a coat hanger complete with arrows

    7. Song/Rap/Poem

    Using a combination of vocabulary create a song/rap/poem about food chains. 

    2.Word search

    Using graph paper create a word search which has our ten vocabulary words in it… you need to write clues as to what the hidden words is not just the word itself.  

    5. Children’s Book

    After reading the story There was an old lady who swallowed a fly recreate your own version of it using animals of your choice… have at least five animals & include the sun and plant life as well.  

    8. Clay food chain

    Using clay create a 5-part food chain complete with labels of animal names & what they are (producer, consumer, decomposer, herbivore, omnivore, carnivore).      

    3. Brochure

    Pick an animal (shark, bear, lion…etc.) and create a brochure about it including: habitat, food chain & why it is important to your animal, what it eats, where it lives, 2 pictures, interesting facts, and anything else you think is important.     

    6. Crossword Puzzle

    Using graph paper create a crossword puzzle with the vocabulary given in class. 

    9. Game

    Using the ideas presented in class create a game using vocabulary and/or real animal food chains. 

Evaluation

 

Rubric
# Beginning 1 Developing 2 Very Good 3 Exemplary 4 Score
Group Participation Never helped your group and did tasks they assigned to you. Sometimes helped your group and did tasks they assigned to you. Often helped your group and did tasks they assigned to you. Always helped your group and did tasks they assigned to you. %25
Individual Work When on computer I was off task and had to be reminded by teacher and group members to stay on task When on computer I was usually on task and seldom had to be reminded by teacher and group members to stay on task When on computer I was off task sometimes and had to be reminded by teacher and group members to stay on task When on computer I was on task and never had to be reminded by teacher and group members to stay on task %25
Group presentation I did not participate in group presentation At times I participated in group presentation At times I participated in group presentation I participate in group presentation %25
Neatness and Organization of work Work was hard to follow, sloppy, and information was lost. Work was hard to follow at times, sloppy, and information was lost most of the time. Work was fairly easy to follow, sloppy at times, and information was lost very little. Work was easy to follow, never sloppy, and information was well organized so as not to be lost. %25
 
         
           
           
           
           
           

 

Conclusion

Great job! You and your team have successfully finished your work & had fun doing it.  Is there any further questions or information on food chains you have to share with the group? Write down your questions or information and give it me be discussed later.

 

Teacher Page

■ Plants manufacture food by utilizing air, water, and energy from the Sun. (6.2a) ■ The Sun’s energy is transferred on Earth from plants to animals through the food chain. (6.2b) ■ Food supplies the energy and materials necessary for growth and repair. (4.2b) ■ An organism’s pattern of behavior is related to the nature of that organism’s environment, including the kinds and numbers of other organisms present, the availability of food and other resources, and the physical characteristics of the environment. (6.1e)