Activity Overview
In this activity students are going to demonstrate their understanding of the transfer of energy between living things by creating different food chains. The arrows in the food chain represent the flow of energy and also the transfer of matter. Remind students that all food chains start with energy from the Sun. In most food chains, this energy is converted to glucose by photosynthesizing green plants.
The instructions provided in the assignment use the first four food chains listed below, and can be edited as needed.
Example Food Chains
- Sun → Grass → Caterpillar → Sparrow → Hawk
- Sun → Tree → Squirrel → Fox
- Sun → Grass → Cow → Human
- Sun → Red Oat Grass → Termites → Mongoose → Caracal
- Sun → Grass → Vole → Owl
- Sun → phytoplankton → Krill → Leopard Seal → Orca (Killer Whale)
- Sun → Typha (cattail) → Mouse → Opossum → Red Fox → Puma
- Sun → phytoplankton → zooplankton → Jellyfish → Shark
Extend this activity by providing students with a habitat and having them research food chains in these habitats! This is a great way for students to see how animals have adapted to the habitat in which they live. After completing this activity, students can have the opportunity to evaluate their models. Lead students through the strengths and limitations of the models giving them an opportunity to make suggestions for improvements.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Show your understanding of food chains by reordering the following plants and animals into food chains. Remember to use arrows to show the flow of energy.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first row, put these animals into a food chain: Sparrow, Caterpillar, Grass and Hawk.
- In the second row, put these animals into a food chain: Squirrel, Tree, and Fox.
- In the third row, put these animals into a food chain: Human, Cow, and Grass.
- In the last row, put these animals into a food chain: Mongoose, Caracal, Red Oat Grass, and Termites.
- For each food chain, label each organism as a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore.
- Use Photos for Class to find an example image for each one.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 22 Points | Beginning 11 Points | Try again 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animals | All the animals are in the correct order. | Most of the animals are in the correct order. | Some of the animals are in the correct order. | None of the animals are in the correct order. |
| Labels | All animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | Most animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | Some of the animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | None of the animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of effort. | Work shows very little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
In this activity students are going to demonstrate their understanding of the transfer of energy between living things by creating different food chains. The arrows in the food chain represent the flow of energy and also the transfer of matter. Remind students that all food chains start with energy from the Sun. In most food chains, this energy is converted to glucose by photosynthesizing green plants.
The instructions provided in the assignment use the first four food chains listed below, and can be edited as needed.
Example Food Chains
- Sun → Grass → Caterpillar → Sparrow → Hawk
- Sun → Tree → Squirrel → Fox
- Sun → Grass → Cow → Human
- Sun → Red Oat Grass → Termites → Mongoose → Caracal
- Sun → Grass → Vole → Owl
- Sun → phytoplankton → Krill → Leopard Seal → Orca (Killer Whale)
- Sun → Typha (cattail) → Mouse → Opossum → Red Fox → Puma
- Sun → phytoplankton → zooplankton → Jellyfish → Shark
Extend this activity by providing students with a habitat and having them research food chains in these habitats! This is a great way for students to see how animals have adapted to the habitat in which they live. After completing this activity, students can have the opportunity to evaluate their models. Lead students through the strengths and limitations of the models giving them an opportunity to make suggestions for improvements.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Show your understanding of food chains by reordering the following plants and animals into food chains. Remember to use arrows to show the flow of energy.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first row, put these animals into a food chain: Sparrow, Caterpillar, Grass and Hawk.
- In the second row, put these animals into a food chain: Squirrel, Tree, and Fox.
- In the third row, put these animals into a food chain: Human, Cow, and Grass.
- In the last row, put these animals into a food chain: Mongoose, Caracal, Red Oat Grass, and Termites.
- For each food chain, label each organism as a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore.
- Use Photos for Class to find an example image for each one.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 22 Points | Beginning 11 Points | Try again 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animals | All the animals are in the correct order. | Most of the animals are in the correct order. | Some of the animals are in the correct order. | None of the animals are in the correct order. |
| Labels | All animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | Most animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | Some of the animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. | None of the animals are labelled correctly with either omnivore, herbivore or carnivore. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of effort. | Work shows very little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Food Chain Examples
Organize a classroom food chain scavenger hunt
Get students moving by creating a food chain scavenger hunt around your classroom or schoolyard. Prepare cards or images representing different organisms (like plants, herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers). Hide them in various locations and have students find and physically arrange themselves into accurate food chains. This hands-on activity reinforces concepts and energizes learners!
Explain the rules and model an example
Set clear expectations before starting. Show students how to read clues and arrange the cards in order, always starting with energy from the Sun. Demonstrate by walking through a simple example, so everyone understands how to connect each organism using arrows to represent energy flow.
Divide students and assign roles
Break students into small groups for teamwork. Assign roles such as 'card finder,' 'arranger,' and 'recorder' to ensure everyone participates. This encourages collaboration and helps students take ownership of the activity.
Facilitate discussion after completion
Guide students to explain their food chains and the reasoning behind each link. Ask guiding questions like, 'Why does the arrow point this way?' and 'What would happen if one organism disappeared?' This deepens understanding and helps students think critically about energy flow.
Reflect and extend with real-world connections
Encourage students to connect classroom findings to local habitats or ecosystems. Ask them to research a food chain in your community or region, or to imagine how humans fit into different food webs. This makes learning relevant and helps students see the importance of food chains in the real world.
Frequently Asked Questions about Food Chain Examples
What is a food chain and how does it show the flow of energy?
A food chain is a sequence that shows how energy moves from one living thing to another through eating. It starts with the Sun, then passes to plants, and continues through various animals, with arrows showing the direction of energy flow.
How can I teach students to create their own food chains?
Guide students to reorder plants and animals into logical food chains, starting with the Sun and using arrows to show energy transfer. Encourage them to label each organism and use images for visual support.
What are some easy examples of food chains for middle school students?
Simple examples include: Sun → Grass → Caterpillar → Sparrow → Hawk and Sun → Tree → Squirrel → Fox. These show clear steps and are easy for students to understand and model.
Why do all food chains start with the Sun?
All food chains start with the Sun because it provides the energy that plants use to make food through photosynthesis. This energy then moves through the rest of the food chain.
What are the strengths and limitations of food chain models in the classroom?
Strengths: Food chain models help students visualize energy flow and relationships. Limitations: They simplify real ecosystems and may not show all the complex connections found in nature.
More Storyboard That Activities
Food Chains
- 2011.06.13_17.47.49_CIMG5793 • andrey_zharkikh • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Caracal • angela n. • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Caterpillars • agavegirl13 • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- cow • steve p2008 • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- eat • oskay • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- fox • digitalprimate • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Grass • theerawat • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- hawk • Dawn Huczek • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Mongoose • Jean & Nathalie • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Oak branches • jcnapw • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Sparrow • barryskeates • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- squirrel • Dawn Huczek • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- sun • alexisnyal • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Termite • dotcompals • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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