8th Grade Science Guide

8.3: Ecology 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

organism affects another in a food chain.

population of each organisms can be manipulated by the

student, and the resulting effects on the populations of other organisms can be observed over time.

Activity: Food Chain Reading/Creation

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ Review food chain vocabulary like abiotic, biotic, producer, consumer, trophic levels, etc. ●​ Students read an article about food chains, to get a basic background. ●​ Then as a class, create a food chain that students can connect to.

●​ The Food Chain: Who Eats Who in the Wild? ●​ Food chain WS - Check for Understanding

●​ I can identify parts of a food chain and use arrows to show who eats who in a food chain.

Activity: Energy in a Food Chain

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can identify the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. (abiotic and biotic factors) ●​ I can describe and analyze connections and roles between organisms within an ecosystem.

●​ Students learn about energy in an ecosystem by doing a simulation using colored water. ●​ Students then read the article “Energy Flow and the 10 Percent Rule.”

●​ Lab ●​ Energy Flow and the 10 Percent Rule

Activity: Energy Pyramid/Flow through an Ecosystem

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can explain why fewer organisms are found at higher levels in food webs.

●​ Students will look at the nutritional requirements for animals to discover why there must be fewer consumers in upper levels of a energy pyramid.

●​ Student Worksheet ●​ Answer Key ●​ Nutritional Guide for

Game Animals in North America