The circle of life: 5th graders get hands on with predation lesson

Ms. Ellen Gager’s and Mrs. Lindsey Breeds’ 5th grade science students took advantage of today’s unseasonably beautiful weather by heading outside for an interactive game all about ecosystems and predation!

First, students were divided into three groups: carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. 

Then, the omnivores and herbivores were given two “lives” - colored notecards - and tasked with collecting water cards while doing their best to avoid being tagged by a carnivore.

Omnivores needed to collect three water cards while herbivores needed five. Each time a carnivore tagged another student, they collected one of their lives. 

If our omnivores or herbivores got tagged twice, they were out! 

“This hands-on game brought our biosphere Unit to life,” said Gager, “reinforced the importance of balance within an ecosystem and helped students better understand the relationship between organisms, resources and predation.”

A little sunshine, a LOT of movement, and some science learning along the way - what more can you ask for?! 

Photo courtesy of Ellen Gager