5th Grade Science

Simple Food Chains and Food Webs

Content Pathfinder

 

 

Jan Covey

Jackson Local Schools

Kent Main Campus

Simple Food Chains and Food Webs—Research Resources

Grade 4-5

Science—Diversity and Interdependence of Life

 

Listed are print, non-print, and electronic resources for libraries and/or classroom learning centers which can be used for food chain and food web research, lesson plans, and student projects.

 

Dewey Numbers

372.3; 574.5; 577; 578; 591.5; 599.7; 620.1

 

Subject Headings

Biodegradation; Carnivores; Ecology; Ecology—Experiments; Education—Ohio—Curricula; Environmental Education; Food chains (Ecology); Food webs; Habitat (Ecology); Herbivores; Natural history—Study and teaching; Nature study; Omnivores; Predatory animals

 

BOOKS (NON-FICTION)

 

Duncan, Beverly K.  Explore the Wild:  A Nature Search-and Find Book.  HarperCollins, 1996.  (574.5; Primary, Intermediate)

Identifies over 100 plants and animals in seven different environments in the United States, from the cactus wren in the desert of the Southwest to the fragrant water lily in the swamp of the Southeast.

 

Greenaway, Theresa.  Food Chains.  Raintree, Steck-Vaughn, 2001.  (577; Intermediate)

Explains how energy is transferred from plants to animals via the food chain.  Cycles in Nature.

 

 

Kalman, Bobbie.  How Do Animals Find Food?  Crabtree, 2001.  (591.5; Primary, Intermediate)

This book introduces children to carnivores, herbivores, cooperative hunters, and other animals that find food in fascinating ways.

 

Lauber, Patricia.  Who Eats What? : Food Chains and Food Webs.  HarperCollins, 1995.  (574.5; Primary, Intermediate)

Explains the concept of a food chain and how plants, animals, and humans are ecologically linked.  Let’s Read and Find Out Science.

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Carnivores in the Food Chain.  PowerKids, 2002. (599.7; Intermediate)

Discusses animals that eat other animals in the food chain.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Decomposers in the Food Chain.  PowerKids, 2002.  (577; Intermediate)

Discusses why decomposers are so important to the food chain.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Herbivores in the Food Chain.  PowerKids, 2002.  (591.5; Intermediate)

Discusses the first eater in the food chain that eats plants and then serves as food for the other animals.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Omnivores in the Food Chain.  PowerKids, 2002.  (591.5; Intermediate)

Describes what omnivores are, tells about links in a food chain, and shows how some of the animals get their food.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Producers in the Food Chain.  PowerKids, 2002.  (577; Intermediate)

Explains the natural patterns by which plants and animals depend upon each other and the environment for food.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

 

McGinty, Alice B.  Scavengers and parasites in the food chain.  PowerKids, 2002.  (577; Intermediate)

Describes the characteristics and habits of various insects, birds, and other animals that clean up waste materials in the environment.  The Library of Food Chains and Food Webs.

 

Parker, Steve.  How Nature Works. Scholastic, 2000.  (578; Intermediate-Adult)

A guide to the way plants and animals function and struggle to survive on Earth.

 

Snedden, Robert.  The Environment.  Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1999.  (577; Intermediate)

Describes the various elements that make up an environment, including the carbon cycle, the water cycle, and food chains.  Science Projects.

 

REFERENCE BOOKS

 

Audubon Society Pocket Guides.  Knopf.

Color photographs plus descriptive text in a pocket-size guide.

 

Golden Field Guides.  Golden Press.

Color illustrations with descriptive text.

 

Golden Guides. Golden Press.

Small, inexpensive, colorful, and handy for basic identification.

 

Nature Study Guild Guides.  Nature Study Guild.

Pocket-size keys to identification.

 

Peterson Field Guides.  Houghton Mifflin.

Comprehensive, easy to use, with arrows that point out distinguishing features.

 

Stokes Nature Guides.  Little, Brown.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

 

Ohio Office of Curriculum and Instruction.  Academic Content Standards:  K-12 Science.  Center for Curriculum and Assessment, 2003.  (372.3; Professional)

Clear standards delineate what students should know and be able to do in science.

 

Lingelbach, Jenepher.  Hands-On Nature:  Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment with Children.  Vermont Institute of Natural Science, 2000.  (372.3; Professional)

 

VanCleave, Janice Pratt.  Janice VanCleave’s Ecology for Every Kid:  Easy Activities that Make Learning Science Fun.  Wiley, 1996.  (574.507; Professional)

This book teaches kids about the relationship between humans and their environment.

 

 

 

 

WEB SITES (FOR STUDENTS)

 

www.aza.org/PhotoGallery/ -- Carnivores, Omnivores

www.fortworthgov.org/SWMservices/let_it_rot/ -- Decomposers

www.nationalgeographic.com/parasites -- Parasites

www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep11.htm -- Decomposers, Parasites, Scavengers

http://passporttoknowledge.com/rainforest/main.html -- Food chains, Producers

www.rainforestlive.org.uk --Carnivores, Food Chains

www.worldwildlife.org -- Food chains, Herbivores, Producers

 

 

 

 

 

WEB SITES (FOR TEACHERS)

 

www.nationalgeographic.com/okavango/education/k.4.html -- K-4 Activities:  The Food Chain

www.nationalgeographic.com/okavango/education/5.8.html -- 5-8 Activities:  The Food Chain

www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/antarcticeco.html -- Lesson Plans

 

INFOHIO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

 

INFOhio Electronic Resources for Grades K-6

          Britannica Online

          EBSCO Animals

          EBSCO Host

          Searchasaurus

 

INFOhio Electronic Resources for Grades 4-8

          Middle Search Plus

         

SELECTED ARTICLES FROM INFOHIO ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

 

“Food Chain”.  Kids Discover; Feb2002, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p6, 2p, diagrams

“Who’s Eating Whom?”  Kids Discover; Feb2002, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p6, 1p

“Rain Forest Food Web.”  Kids Discover; Jun/Jul95, Vol. 5 Issue 6, p4, 2p, 1 diagram

“Cold Critters.”  Kids Discover; Jun2001, Vol. 11 Issue 6, p4, 2p, 8c

“Birth of a Salt Marsh.”  Kids Discover; Dec97, Vol.7 Issue 10, p6, 2p, 6c

“Looking Out for Lizards.”  Ranger Rick; Sep2002, Vol. 36 Issue 9, p15, 5p, 7c

Silbert, Jack.  “The Magic School Bus.”  Superscience Red; Sep95, Vol. 7 Issue 1, p14, 1p, 5c

“A Food Chain.”  Kids Discover, Mar2004, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p6, 1/3p, 13c

 

 

MEDIA RESOURCES

 

The Food Chain Mystery, VHS.  Educational Videos, 2000. (Color, 15 minutes; Primary Intermediate)

Follow the flow of energy through the food chain from the sun to producers, consumers, and decomposers.  Vivid animations show how energy is passed through the food chain, using the energy pyramid.  Other concepts include: photosynthesis, predator/prey relationships, herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

 

Seasons in the Prairies, VHS.  BERLET, 2000.  (Color, 20 minutes: Primary-Adult)

Insects eat plants, burrowing owls eat insects and a food chain forms.  Prairie dogs eat, grass and seeds, as do mice, a hungry coyote catches a mouse.

 

Seasons in the Woodlands, VHS.  BERLET, 1993.  (Color, 20 minutes: Primary-Senior High)

This film explores the deciduous woodlands of northeastern N. America.  It follows the plant and animal life through the seasons and tells the story of sun energy, photosynthesis, the food chain and recycling.

 

Signs of Fall and Winter, VHS.  BERLET, 2003.  (Color, 20 minutes:  Primary-Senior High)

The reason for seasonal changes is explained, and familiar signs in nature that distinguish fall and winter are presented.  Topics include:  Autumnal equinox, winter solstice, chlorophyll, deciduous and coniferous trees, agricultural harvests, animal migration and adaptation to survive colder weather, and the differences in the winter food chain.