Curated OER
Micro-organisms
Students learn what a micro-organism is. In this micro-organism lesson plan, students understand that micro-organisms may be too small to see. Students learn microorganisms could be bacteria, fungi, something beneficial or a harmful...
Curated OER
My Biotic Creation
Eighth graders explore different ecosystems. In this ecosystem survival lesson conditions lesson students create their own fictional creature.
Curated OER
Magical Images of the Estuary
Students investigate picture taking techniques while visiting an estuary. In this picture taking lesson, students examine the "Magical Images of the Estuary" handout. They think of and list important picture taking techniques before...
Curated OER
Water Pollution
Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental instructional activity, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.
Curated OER
Eutrophication Experiments
Observe two different water samples and write down observations. Write a paragraph which predicts the relative amounts of nutrients, nitrates, and phosphates in the water samples. Compare water samples under a microscope.
Curated OER
Ecology - Ecosystem
Third graders research ecosystems, the work of ecologists, John Muir's contribution to the environment and an endangered species of their choice. They read books, participate in discussions, and write reports.
Curated OER
Soild Waste and Recycling
In this unit of lessons, students examine solid waste and recycling. They discover the concept of decomposition. They also observe the decomposition process and make observatins.
Curated OER
"Habitats"
Students complete a unit of lessons on animals and animal conservation. They observe a square meter of ground outside the school, set up a model environment, analyze an owl pellet, grow bread mold, and explore various websites.
Curated OER
Our Schoolsyard is Full of Biology
Students study the habitats found in their schoolyard. They apply firsthand, what they have learned in the classroom to something familiar to them. Students look at biotic, abiotic habitats. Small groups will present their findings to...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Food Chains Moving Matter in an Ecosystem (Day 1)
Students will create a food chain model and use it to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. Resources include a detailed lesson plan, student handouts, pictures of a completed chain,...
Planet Pals
Planet Pals: The Food Chain
Omnivores, herbivores and carnivores are waiting for you. The food chain comes to life at this friendly site.
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software: Parts of the Food Chain: Producers, Consumers, Decomposers
Learn how scientists classify different types of organisms in an ecosystem or in a food chain by their role and function as either a producer, a consumer, or a decomposer. Then play a game that tests your understanding of these important...
Science Struck
Science Struck: Difference Between Food Chain and Food Web
Explains the characteristics of food chains and food web; the different levels of producers, consumers, and decomposers; and the differences between food chains and food webs. Includes charts and a Venn diagram comparing the two.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Ecosystems: Food Chains
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on food chains that explains how energy flows through the chain, beginning with plants.
Read Works
Read Works: The Food Chain
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text explaining important vocabulary involving the food chain. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Biological Energy Food Chain Practice
After reviewing the roles of consumers, producers and decomposers, you'll create your own food chains using pictures from magazines. The site also has 18 questions to see if you can identify the ecologic role played by various organisms.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Food Chains: Nature's Restaurant
Learners begin this lesson by making observations and recording evidence of the variety of living things in local nature site. Students use reference materials to research predators and food of the animals they observed, then illustrate...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Coral Reef Food Web
Explore the food web in a coral reef with these illustration. Identify the consumers, producers, and decomposers that are located within this ecosystem. Site includes illustration exploring the different food chains as well as questions...
SMART Technologies
Smart: Ecosystem Food Chain and Food Web
Starts with living and non living and works through producers, consumers, food chains and food webs.
BioEd Online
Bio Ed Online: Food Webs
Learners construct possible food webs for six different ecosystems as they learn about the roles of producers, consumers, herbivores, carnivores and decomposers.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Food Chains
[Free Registration/Login Required] Through this flipchart students will be able to summarize and organize simple food chains.
Science Struck
Science Struck: A Bird's Eye View of the Desert Food Chain
Describes how a food chain works in a desert and how the Mojave desert food chain works in particular.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Food Chain in the Tundra Region
Describes the characteristics of a tundra biome, how a tundra food chain compares to a tropical food chain, and what the different trophic levels look like.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Ecosystems: Food Webs
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on food webs that explains the difference between food webs and food chains, and the relationships that exist between organisms.