Food webs is one of my favorite topics–so you’ll see LOTS of great ideas to teach students about the flow of energy throughout an ecosystem.
Here are 7 of my favorite science teaching ideas for ecosystems, food chains, and food webs!
1. 🐘 Phenomena-based Science Unit
How can a single species in an ecosystem affect the whole food web? Designed for 5th grade NGSS, this phenomena-based science unit focuses on keystone species.
Rather than learning facts about food webs, students figure out how keystone species impact an ecosystem.
New to this style of teaching? Don’t worry! The unit will guide you and your students through team activities, model creation, analysis, and supporting a claim with evidence and reasoning.
See on TpT: Keystone Species Phenomena-based Science Unit
2. 👟👟Step On It! Walking Food Web
Students actually MOVE through a food web and see how energy flows.
Students each represent a unit of energy. Where did they come from before arriving at the phytoplankton? Allow students to take any path they choose as long as they follow the arrows. Along the way, students record where they went. Then, students write about how energy was transferred.
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3. 📓 Notebook Templates
I love using notebooks for student practice, teaching mini-lessons, and keeping a record of our learning.
Check out the templates on TpT: All in One Science Interactive Notebook
4. 🦉Owl Pellet Dissection
Kids loooooove dissecting owl pellets! I’ve done this activity with 4th grade, 5th grade, and even my preschooler!
They won’t just “ooh” and “ahh” though. They will analyze food chains and food webs that involve owls using the provided teaching slides and printables.
See it on TpT: Owls Life Science Unit
5. 🖥 Go Digital!
Students work directly in Google Forms with Digital Vocabulary Lessons. It’s not a quiz– it’s a teaching tool! Students learn vocabulary as they work through the activities.
Ecosystem Parts Digital Vocab Lesson
Consumer Types Digital Vocab Lesson
6. Outdoor Science
Often, the best place to teach about living things is OUTSIDE! Try some of these amazing outdoor activities with. your young explorers.
Free Microecosystem Observations
7. 📽 📝 Slides & Notes
Slides and Notes. Because sometimes you need to explicitly teach students skills… like understanding a food web diagram! After hands-on exploration the topic, Slides & Notes help students understand new material.
5th Grade Ecosystem Interactions
I hope with these activities you can love teaching your students about ecosystems and food webs as much as I do!
8. 🙌 Bonus Idea
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4 thoughts on “7 Ideas to Teach Ecosystems and Food Webs”
Hi Ari
I was wondering if you are presenting at any regional or national conference this year. I would dearly love to come to one of your sessions. Can you let me know your upcoming plans please.
Thanks
Heather (a fan!)
your ideas are awesome n intresting for the children.
i’ll try to get more ideas from you.
I like the video’s a lot thanks Ari!!!!
Aniya Milton Mission Crest Elementary School
Great ideas!!