A Foot Long Food Chain

Objectives:

To identify a food chain under the sea
To create a PowerPoint presentation

Materials:

A computer with Internet access and PowerPoint
index cards

Websites:

Public Broadcasting System a great source of information on science and nature
National Geographic  a rich site with sections for National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Explorers  
Whale Times  go on adventures into the ocean also has a glossary of whale terms
Ask Jeeves ask Jeeves a question and receive an answer
Sea World click on Seaworld Orlando, then click on Animal Information
Encarta click on reference tools to get an online dictionary, atlas and encyclopedia
Online Encyclopedia just type in the topic and get accurate data

Procedure: 

  1. Explain to the students that sea animals depend upon the sun, plants, and each other to live.  Some animals eat plants, some eat animals, and some eat the decomposed material of plants and animals.  An animal that hunts another for food is called a predator and the animal being hunted is called prey.  Spend one day creating vocabulary word cards which can be displayed on an "Under the Sea" bulletin board.
  2. Each team of five children will get an index card with an animal.  After researching the food chain, the students will put their fives card in order, depending on how they are arranged in the food chain.  For example, a team might get the following: Phytoplankton, Bluefish, Herring, Seal, Shark.  Place a number on the card indicating the correct order.  If the students need to research their animal, they can use any of the Web sites mentioned above. (Order: Shark- Seal- Herring- Bluefish- Phytoplankton)
  3. Once the teacher has checked the order of animals, then each group will begin working on their PowerPoint presentation.  The student who has number one, will begin first slide and then number two, and so on.  The students must include a picture of their animal, a description, and any other important facts.
  4. When students are using PowerPoint, they can create their own slides or use a template. The Wizard will help in design and placement of text and clip art.
  5. Students should also create a bibliography citing resources used.
  6. The project may take up to two weeks.  After each group has finished, they will present their PowerPoint presentations to the class.
  7. Make daily Ocean Journal entry.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their PowerPoint presentations using a PowerPoint Rubric.

Vocabulary Words:

Predator
Prey
Phytoplankton
Producer
Consumer
Zooplankton
Food Web

Homework:

Locate an article about the ocean in a newspaper, magazine, or online newspaper or magazine. Read and bring to class to share.

Extension Activity: Fact or Fiction