Materials Required:
Large photos or cards of organisms (printed and laminated for durability)
Arrows (can be made from large paper or pre-cut cardboard)
Tape or stakes (for securing photos to the ground)
Optional: Chalk or markers (for drawing arrows on the ground)
Steps Involved:
Preparation: Before the activity, spread the large photos or cards of various organisms (e.g., plants, herbivores, carnivores) in a circle or designated area on the playground. Use tape or stakes to secure them to the ground. Arrange the photos to represent a complete food web.
Placing Arrows: Have students help place arrows between the photos to represent the flow of energy. Discuss and decide together where each arrow should go based on the predator-prey relationships and other interactions.
Walking the Web: Once the arrows are in place, invite students to walk along the food web. They should follow the arrows to move from one organism to another, observing how energy flows through the web.
Discussion: As students walk through the web, encourage them to discuss what they observe and how removing or adding certain organisms might impact the food web. Prompt them with questions about the roles of different organisms and their connections.
Review: Conclude the activity by gathering the students and discussing their experiences walking the food web. Review the connections and relationships between organisms, and address any questions or insights that arose during the activity.