Or
Exit Full Screen
DISCUSS:
Which living things should you be able to find near you, next time you spot a squirrel?
Ask the questions:
1) What does it eat?
2) What is it eaten by?
Here's what we think...
A squirrel eats nuts from trees, such as acorns. So wherever there are squirrels, there are oak trees (trees that grow acorns).
A squirrel is eaten by birds of prey (like hawks, falcons, and eagles) and other predators like cats. So wherever there are squirrels, you should be able to spot those animals too!
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
DISCUSS:
1) What animals might live in your neighborhood? Come up with 3 places where you could look.
2) Ask the food chain questions: "What does it eat?" and "What is it eaten by?" Does this lead you to think of any new animals to look for?
Exit Full Screen
The next video introduces a card game, “Eat or Be Eaten.” This was revised on 1/20/17. The older version, which features arrows on the cards, instead of chains, still accessible. But we strongly recommend using the revised version.
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Pill bugs (also known as roly polys) are a kid-friendly critter for classroom observation.
Bugman Education offers Take a Pill Bug to Lunch, a inquiry-based activity for those willing to set up a pill bug habitat.
This video shows how simple setting up a pill bug habitat can be.
For more information on these critters, check out “The secret life of pillbugs” on The Infinite Spider, a science & nature blog.
Exit Full Screen
These readings can start students thinking. Channel that energy into a class discussion.
Reading: Studies look at what happens when top predators become scarce. (Grade 3 reading level) Discuss: What happens when an animal is removed from a food chain?
Reading: Sea lion pups go hungry when water temperature changes. (Grade 3 reading level) Discuss: Can you think of other examples of environmental changes that could affect a food chain? (Think about examples from the Eat or Be Eaten game.)
Exit Full Screen
Grade 5
Ecosystems & The Food Web
Food Chains, Predators, Herbivores & Carnivores
5-LS2-1
In this Mystery, students develop their thinking about the relationships among organisms in their everyday world. In the activity, students play a card game which deepens their understanding of organisms’ interrelationships.
Preview activityIn this activity, students will be playing Eat or Be Eaten, a card game in which they make food chains. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players.
Each group of players will need:
Each player will need:
Teacher will need a print out of Teacher Tips , which provides game rules and a suggestion for advanced play.
Grade 5
Ecosystems & The Food Web
Food Chains, Predators, Herbivores & Carnivores
5-LS2-1
Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:
Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.
Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Please follow these steps:
Locked
6:10
Why is the sky blue?
Locked
4:41
Why do we call them doughnuts?
Locked
5:16
Could a turtle live outside its shell?
Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.
View pricing