Introduction

Like you, each and every living thing in the world requires food for the energy it needs to survive. The difference lies in what type of food each of these living things needs.

Plants and animals pass energy and nutrients that are needed for survival through a continuous circle called the food chain. Plants get energy from the sun, animals get energy from plants or animals, and, when an animal dies, it is then energy for some plants. Every form of life is food at one time or another...this is the circle of life, or a food chain.

You are about to embark on a fascinating adventure, where you will learn about food chains and the three types of plants and animals that are a part of them.

The Quest

It is up to you and your team members to decide which place in the food chain holds the most importance: producers, consumers, or decomposers.

The Process and Resources

1)In order to decide which of the three life forms producers, consumers, or decomposers) is most important, first get into a team of three.

2)Each member of the group will investigate one of the three life forms. Visit the web sites given below (by clicking on them) to find information.

3)Research the types of living things that are in each group and what important purpose each has in the food chain.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Individually research the life form you assigned to. Each of these websites will help you find out important facts. Use the three worksheets that you were given in class to help you remember the information you read.

• Foodchains - This fabulous site will give you some great ideas about what a food chain looks like. Pay particular attention to the graph.
• The Balance of Food and Nature - Learn about consumers, decomposers and producers.
• Kidport Food Chains - Fantastic website with awesome pictures!
• Chain Reaction - Play this food chain game to learn how the food chain works and what happens when something is removed.
• Ranger Rick's Fish Food - Play this food chain game and see how the size of a consumer is important!

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

Why is your form the most important in a food chain? Even if you don't really believe it, read through your research, organizing your ideas and find evidence to support your life form.

role, job or perspective #1

What would happen if the producers were missing?

role, job or perspective #2

What would happen if the consumers were missing?

role, job or perspective #3

What would happen if the decomposers were missing?

role, job or perspective #4

Is one type more important than another? Why or why not?

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Food Chains. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective.

You must all now answer the Task as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the webpages you explored and books you read to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task.

Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

Individually, draw a food chain with at least three animals. Label what life form each animal in your food chain is. Make sure to draw the animals in the correct order and remember to start your food chain with the sun!

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

Congratulations! You and your team have completed this webquest! Now you have studied the delicate cycle of the food chain, and in the process, you have also worked cooperatively with your peers to complete your quest!