Ecosystems Webquest5th GradeLaura Henson

Dr. Harrison YangWinter 2010

Introduction The natural environment in which living organisms flourish

in called an Ecosystem. All living things in our environment play a role in how the ecosystems around us function.

All living things in an ecosystem fall into one of two categories- Producers and Consumers

Producers and Consumers are connected by food chains. A series of food chains are connected, making up food webs, which show how each living thing in our environment plays a key role in supporting life in an ecosystem

Your Tasks Task 1- Using the links provided, please determine what types

of producers and consumers are native in our area. Use this information to make a list of producers, and a list of consumers.

Task 2- Using the information colleted, please create one food chain with at least four living things on the paper provided. Pictures/Drawings not required.

Task 3- Using your food chain, and your previous knowledge of ecosystems, please construct a food web that can be found in our local environment. Create a poster of your food web to be displayed in the classroom. Pictures/Drawings are required. Be Creative!!

Resources Task 1 Resource:New York State Department of Environmental

Conservation Task 2 Resources:

Food Chains and Food WebsInteresting Facts about Food Chains and Food WebsFun With Food Webs!

Evaluation 1 Consumer/Producer Lists Each worth maximum 5 points

____ Does List contain at least 5 producers found in NY State?

____ Does list contain at least 5 consumers found in NY State?

____ Spelling

Total ____/15 points

Evaluation 2 Food Chain Each worth maximum 5 points

____ Are living things in food chain connected in correct order?

____ Are there at least four living things listed as members of food chain?

____ Are both producers and consumers included?

____ Spelling

Total ____/20 points

Evaluation 3 Food Web Each worth maximum 5 points____ Is your chain included in construction of food web with at least one other producer and 5

other consumers?

____ Is food web constructed correctly?

____ Are all arrows pointing in the right direction to show correct predator/prey connection?

___ Spelling

___ Creativity, color, poster design

Total____/25 points

Evaluation continued… Total points from all 3 evaluations

will be added together for a final grade.

The maximum total score you can receive is a 60/60.

ConclusionThere are millions of different food chains and food webs found

across the world. These connections are the means to which our environment flourishes and how life is sustainable in the environment.

As mentioned in this Webquest, all living things are categorized by either being producers and consumers. As a bonus (10 points), please use an internet search to find a unique living thing that falls into both categories. Please record the name of the organism, why it is considered both a producer and consumer, and 2 facts about the organism. Please site the websites you use to collect the information!!

Thanks for your hard work!!!

I am looking forward to seeing your final work GREAT posters

Miss Henson