Earth to Shiloh: Ozark Ecosystems Then and Now

GRADES 3 - 8

Activities

• Play the “Web of Life” game.
  • Assign a plant or animal to each student using this list or by creating your own list.
    
  • Have students research the habitat of their assigned plant or animal. Have them find out what animals eat the plant and research predator/prey relationships.
    
  • Ask students to give an oral presentation to the class telling about their plant or animal. After each presentation, have the class discuss ways their assigned plant or animal may be connected to the one being reported. Do they live in the same kind of habitat? Does that plant provide food or shelter to your animal? Is the animal a food source? Participating in the discussion and considering these relationships will make the game easier to play.
    
  • Have the students make a “name tag” to wear with the name of their assigned plant or animal.
    
  • Tell students they will be asked to wear their “name tags” as they sit in a circle facing each other. Using a roll of twine or string, they will play the game by picking another student and telling how their plant or animal is connected to the one picked. Tell them to hold on to the end of the string and pass the rest of the roll to the student chosen. (This works best if they choose students across the circle from them rather than next to them.) Each student then takes a turn picking another plant or animal, telling the relationship, and passing the string. Explain that it is important that no one drops the string.
    
  • Designate a student to start the “Web of Life” game. If a student is having difficulty seeing the relationship to others in the circle, remind them we are all connected by being on the earth, or needing air, or the warmth of the sun, or a water source (depending on the plants and animals chosen). Green plants are connected to everyone by creating oxygen.
    
  • After everyone in the circle has had a turn and is holding on to the string, compare the string to a spider’s web with all of the pieces connected. Discuss what would happen if one piece of the web were to be cut out. Have the students try to lift the web of string over their heads. Then have them try to stand keeping the web intact. They will have to work together to keep the web intact.
    
  • Use this exercise as a lesson on interdependence. Follow up the exercise with a discussion on ways people impact plants or animals.
    
  • More fossil lessons and activities
    
  • More food chain activities

Objectives and Strategies

Curriculum Frameworks

Vocabulary List

Portable Programs Home

Field Trips Home