Food chain lesson plan

Grade Level: Elementary (2nd-4th grade)

Objectives:

● Students will understand the concept of a food chain.

● Students will be able to identify producers, consumers, and decomposers in a food
chain.
● Students will be able to create their own food chains.

Materials:
● Pictures of different organisms (producers, consumers, and decomposers)
● Whiteboard or chart paper
● Markers
● Index cards or paper strips
● Glue or tape

Procedure:
1. Begin by introducing the concept of a food chain. Explain that a food chain shows how
energy is transferred from one organism to another as they eat each other.
2. Show pictures of different organisms (plants, animals, and fungi) and ask students to
identify them as producers, consumers, or decomposers. Define these terms and explain
their roles in a food chain.
3. Draw a simple food chain on the whiteboard or chart paper. For example: grass -> rabbit
-> fox. Ask students to identify the producer, consumer, and decomposer in this food
chain.
4. Have students work in pairs or small groups to create their own food chains. Give each
group a set of pictures and index cards or paper strips. On each card, they should write
the name of an organism and whether it is a producer, consumer, or decomposer. They
can then arrange the cards to create a food chain and glue or tape them in place.
5. Once the groups have created their food chains, have them share with the class. Ask
students to identify the producer, consumer, and decomposer in each chain, and discuss
how energy is transferred from one organism to another.
6. As a wrap-up, ask students to reflect on what they learned about food chains. What
surprised them? What questions do they still have?

Assessment:
Observe students as they create their food chains and participate in the class discussion.
Assess their understanding of the concept of a food chain, their ability to identify producers,
consumers, and decomposers, and their ability to create their own food chains. You could also
have students write a short paragraph explaining the importance of each organism in their food
chain.