Lesson Plan

5. Explore pyramids of biomass

KS4-07-20

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Describe what's meant by a pyramid of biomass
  • Explain how biomass is lost between the different trophic levels
  • Calculate the efficiency of biomass transfer

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

  • trophic
  • producer
  • biomass
  • respiration
  • pyramid

Implementation

Starter

Ask the children to label the trophic levels of each organism in the example of a food chain provided and describe how they interact. How do they think energy is transferred between trophic levels?

Main Teaching

Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation. 

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

Career Film: Natalie Beck works as a Team Leader with the RHS.

Mission Assignment

Watch the film Ecology - Pyramids of Number and Biomass - Using the handout calculate the efficiency of biomass transfer between trophic levels in 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.