Search for Resources

Detecting Schoolyard Food Chains

Elementary

Description

A good piece of detective work requires physical evidence, information gathering and critical thinking to solve a case.  In this adventurous activity students become investigators who must decipher the mystery of how plants and animals are linked in a food chain.  As they explore the school grounds hunting for nature's clues and research a chosen plant or animal, pupils will learn how energy flows through the trophic levels of a food chain while developing science skills in observation, data collection, inquiry and analysis.  This outdoor learning experience connects students to their natural surroundings while inspiring an understanding of the importance of biodiversity in maintaining a healthy, sustainable Earth.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This Grade K-4 activity involves students in an authentic outdoor survey that reinforces Science lessons examining needs of plants and animals, interdependence and energy flow in food chains/webs.  Pupils also explore nature from the context of understanding relationships between producers, consumers and decomposers as they categorize living things as plants or animals and become aware of abiotic and biotic habitat components.  Practicing essential science skills such as observation, analysis and communication is also a key feature of the learning experience.

 

This activity could be extended with a visit to another local habitat such as a wetland or forest to document and describe connections between various plant and animal species.  Working in partnership with a naturalist group, a class could even create a simple community field guide that informs others about biodiversity by featuring interesting local flora and fauna and information about how citizens can be involved in conservation.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interaction
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Science
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
        • Life Systems
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Growth and Changes in Plants
        • Life Science
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitat and Communities
        • Life Systems
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
        • Our Local Environment : Scientific Literacy
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring Our World: Attitudes
        • Exploring Our World: STSE and Knowledge
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth & Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Primary Science: Living Things
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: Habitats
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Senses & the Body
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Problem Solving and Innovating: Overall Expectations
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Animals
        • STEM Skills and Connections
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Plants
        • STEM Skills and Connections
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
        • STEM Skills and Connections
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth & Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Units & Outcomes
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth and Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats and Communities
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (3)

  • Appreciating the Natural World
  • Biodiversity
  • Interdependence