Ch. 6 Assignment- 5th grade Informational text lesson plan

Subject: 3rd grade Science
Title of Informational Text: Planet Earth, Animals and their prey.

Curriculum Framework: 3. Describe the characteristics, structures, life cycles, and environments of organisms.

e. Recall that organisms can survive only when in environments (deserts,
tundras, forests, grasslands, taigas, wetlands) in which their needs are met and
interpret the interdependency of plants and animals within a food chain, including
producer, consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, predator, and
prey. (DOK 2)

Big Idea: Predators and prey are both integral to a life cycle.

Preparation:

1. The teacher will read the informational text to the class while emphasizing important points to the class.
2. Students will work in groups to create a visual representation of a food chain, using a copy of the text as a guide.
3. Students will present their food chains to the class. Each group will likely have used different animals.
4. After students have finished presenting their food chains, the teacher will ask a series of open-ended questions to help develop students' understanding.
a. Look carefully at these different food chains. What are some things that you notice that they all have in common?
b. Is an animal always either a predator or prey?
c. Do all predators eat the same prey? What factors might determine what an animal's prey might be?
d. Which category do humans fall under, predator or prey? Why do you think so?
e. Why are prey important? Why are predators important?
5. Students will be given an opportunity to share and ask questions about the topic or the activity.

Guidance:

1. Students will work in groups to help one another, and will refer to the text if needed.
2. The teacher will walk around providing guidance and assistance to students.

Application:

1. Students apply what they know about the predator and prey relationship to create a food chain.

Assessment:

1. Students will be assessed by the accuracy of their food chains.
2. Students will also be assessed during the class Q & A through informal teacher observation.