Garden Lessons: Intro to Food Webs, Part I & II (5th Grade)

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Grades: 5th Grade

Time Needed: 30 mins

Lesson Objective(s): Students learn about how all living things are connected in the garden

Supplies Needed

  • 4 disposable cameras (labeled: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4)- using Ipads, phones, or other ways to take photos is fine, too! Just make sure you can keep the photos in separate folders

  • Food Web Game Cards

  • Food Web Photo Worksheet

  • Ball of yarn, twine, or string

  • tape

  • clipboards

  • Pencils

  • Harmonica

Part I, Food Web Game:

  • Each student gets one card from the Food Web Card game. Give students a minute to look at their description, if they have one.

  • Explain instructions:

    • All of you are connected in some way. There are 3 rules to this game.

    • Rule #1: You have to throw the ball of string and “connect” the two of you through decomposition or consumption (briefly explain both). You must tell the group why you chose them.

    • Rule #2: If someone already has had the ball, you can still throw to them.

    • Rule #3: Everyone must be holding the string at the end.

  • Do an Example:

    • “Sun” throws yarn to “oat plant,” because it makes energy for the oat plant (all plants get energy from sun). “oat plant” throws to “rabbit” because rabbits eat oats. “rabbit” throws to “Bacteria” because bacteria will help rabbit decompose at the end of it’s life.

  • Take a look at how everything is connected, and everything plays a part!

Part II, Taking Pictures of our Own Food Web:

  • Now we’re going to start a project where we’ll make our OWN food webs.

  • Pass out clipboards, pencils, and “Food Web Photos” worksheet

  • Review rules of worksheet: taking photos of living things in garden and guidelines of photos. Must record each photo taken on camera.

Wrap up:

  • Ask what groups took photos of

  • Snack: Carrots & hummus




Garden LessonsTeresa Woodard