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In this activity students are going to demonstrate their understanding of the transfer of energy between living things by creating different food chains. The arrows in the food chain represent the flow of energy and also the transfer of matter. Remind students that all food chains start with energy from the Sun. In most food chains, this energy is converted to glucose by photosynthesizing green plants.

The instructions provided in the assignment use the first four food chains listed below, and can be edited as needed.

Example Food Chains

• Sun → Grass → Caterpillar → Sparrow → Hawk
• Sun → Tree → Squirrel → Fox
• Sun → Grass → Cow → Human
• Sun → Red Oat Grass → Termites → Mongoose → Caracal
• Sun → Grass → Vole → Owl
• Sun → phytoplankton → Krill → Leopard Seal → Orca (Killer Whale)
• Sun → Typha (cattail) → Mouse → Opossum → Red Fox → Puma
• Sun → phytoplankton → zooplankton → Jellyfish → Shark

Extend this activity by providing students with a habitat and having them research food chains in these habitats! This is a great way for students to see how animals have adapted to the habitat in which they live. After completing this activity, students can have the opportunity to evaluate their models. Lead students through the strengths and limitations of the models giving them an opportunity to make suggestions for improvements.

Student Instructions

Show your understanding of food chains by reordering the following plants and animals into food chains. Remember to use arrows to show the flow of energy.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. In the first row, put these animals into a food chain: Sparrow, Caterpillar, Grass and Hawk.
3. In the second row, put these animals into a food chain: Squirrel, Tree, and Fox.
4. In the third row, put these animals into a food chain: Human, Cow, and Grass.
5. In the last row, put these animals into a food chain: Mongoose, Caracal, Red Oat Grass, and Termites.
6. For each food chain, label each organism as a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore.
7. Use Photos for Class to find an example image for each one.
8. Save and submit your storyboard.