CONTENT STANDARD: Environmental Science

GRADE: Sixth

CONTENT STANDARD: Environmental Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Populations and Ecosystems

CONCEPT: Factors influence the stability of ecosystems.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 6G4.00 To understand the role of predators in an ecosystem

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

4.01 define the terms prey and predator.
4.02 describe the predator-prey relationship.
4.03 discuss the effects of a lack of predators in an environment.
4.04 define scavenger and separate the role of the scavenger from that of the predator.

I. Predators
A. Carnivore
B. Herbivore
C. Omnivore
II. Predator-prey relationship
A. Consumers
1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. Tertiary
B. Decomposer
III. Environment
A. Lack of predators
B. Scavengers

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Process Of Science

TN GOAL:

To enable students to demonstrate the process of science by posing questions and investigating phenomena through language, methods and instruments of science

1.1 OBSERVING - The senses are used to develop an awareness of an event or object and the properties thereof.

1.1a Observing is a process used to develop an awareness of the surrounding environment.

BENCHMARK: By incorporating prior knowledge with the process of observations a better understanding of one's environment may develop.

TIME REQUIRED:

Two one-hour class periods

Filmstrip, blackboard

In the previous lesson, we learned how factors affected the stability of ecosystems. Write one of factors on your paper. We have learned how important each organism is in the food chain. Today we discuss the predator-prey relationship and its effect on the environment.

A predator is an animal that catches and devours its prey. The animal that is eaten is the prey. Predators are classified as carnivore, herbivore and omnivore.

CARNIVORES are animals that eat only other animals. (Wolf)

HERBIVORES are animals that eat only plants. (Grasshopper)

OMNIVORES are animals that eat both plants and animals. (Opossum)

The predator-prey relationship establishes a food chain with a producer, consumer and decomposer. A food chain is really an energy chain. Energy from the sun is captured by the producers and passed on to the consumers. A PRODUCER is a green plant able to make its own food by photosynthesis. A CONSUMER is an organism that depends on producers for its food needs. A DECOMPOSER is an organism that obtains its food from wastes and dead organisms. Let us show you an example: decay bacteria; simple compounds; return to soil and used by plants and animals; animal eats plants; both plants and animals die; dead organisms; decomposers break down dead organisms; fungi; decay bacteria; simple compounds; and so forth......

Now you think of a food chain and write it for one food which you had for breakfast. Example: eggs

Sun; Grass (grain); Chicken ( eggs); You

There are animals in our community that are well-populated because of the lack of predators. This lack of predators alters the life-sustaining food chains. Can you name an animal population that needs predators?

Can anyone tell me the difference between a scavenger and a predator? (pause) Scavengers are organisms that feed on refuse. Give me an example. (Buzzard, crow, rat) Predators are organisms that devour other living organisms for life-sustaining food. (Cat, wolf, human)

List five local scavengers.

Make a list of ten animals and classify them as prey or predator. List the predators as carnivore, herbivore or omnivore.

(Let each child make a poster depicting an example of a food chain.)

We have discussed the predator-prey relationship, food chains and scavengers. Do you remember the three groups of predators? (response) List them and give an example of each. (pause, then summarize)

For extra points, please turn in a diagram of a food chain in which you played the part of a herbivore.

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