Lesson Plan

6. Explore trophic levels

KS4-07-19

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Describe what's meant by trophic levels
  • Discover how decomposers break down dead plant or animal matter

National Curriculum

  • Combined Science: living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment

Working Scientifically

  • Explaining everyday and technological applications of science
  • Evaluating associated personal, social, economic and environmental implications 
  • Making decisions based on the evaluation of evidence and arguments

Resources

Handout: An investigation sheet for the students to complete.

Rocket words

  • food chain
  • herbivore
  • carnivore
  • apex predator
  • decomposers

Implementation

Starter

We have previously learned about biodiversity. Ask the children to discuss what is biodiversity. Ask them to work in groups to create their own examples of a food chain and describe how each organism in that chain interacts. Can they build on that chain to make a food web? 

Main Teaching

Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation. 

Expert Film: This is Mark Knight, who works with the RHS as the Technical Crops Manager at Tangmere. Mark talks about trophic levels.

Career Film: Jonathan Newell works as the Hilltop Live Public Engagement Officer with the RHS.

Mission Assignment

Watch the film Coordination and Response - Plants - Tropisms - Using the handout identify the trophic levels on food chains by labelling the trophic levels on food chains and pyramids of biomass.

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

With their talk partners, the children are to go through the quiz at the end of the presentation and answer the questions.