• Research and explain the food chain of a selected mammal or fish.
• Synthesise learning in a co-operative learning project.

Activity

• As a follow-up to the discussion of Food Chains featured on Surf into Science 2, have children work in-groups of 2 to research and demonstrate their understandings of this concept.

• Invite students to select a favourite character from the Surf into Science series, e.g., Little Blue, Old Tom, Amy, etc., and research what the food chain for their character would look like. Children can draw or take jot-notes on their findings. Later have them select from the following choices a way to present their information to the class.

• A diorama made from corrugated cardboard, paint, and drawings glued on tagboard squares with tabs.
  
  Students should draw pictures to show each sequence of the food chain. These pictures can be glued on the tagboard squares. The corrugated cardboard can be painted; slits can be cut into the base so that the tabs of the tagboard squares can be inserted sequentially. (See illustration)
  
  On the opposite side of the tagboard squares, students might write a sentence about their drawings.

• A panel book made by folding paper into an accordion shape.
  
  The illustrations can be drawn on one side of the panel, while a sentence about the illustration can be written on the other.
  
  Extension: Have the children label creatures in the food chain as herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers.

Assessment Tips from Old Tom the Turtle

• Create an evaluation form that can be used to record information by students and teachers following the completion of the project.

• Write notes about the observations you make while the students are reporting the results of their projects to the class.