Comparing food chains
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compare the food chains that I have created with other food chains.
Key learning points
- A food chain is used to show the order in which living things depend on each other
- A plant or animal can be part of many different food chains
- Different food chains can be compared to look for what is the same and different
Keywords
Food chain - Animals eat plants or other animals. The way this happens is shown in a food chain.
Animal - An animal is a living thing which moves and eats other animals or plants.
Plant - A plant is a living thing that often has roots, stem and leaves.
Compare - We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.
Common misconception
A food chain shows the full detail and is a true representation of what organisms eat.
Include explanations that animals have a varied diet and eat many different foods. A food chain only shows one food source at a time.
Teacher tip
Each time the children compare, remind them to ask what is the same and what is different about each food chain. Starting their responses with "I notice that..." will help to structure the conversation.
Equipment
Scissors if wish to cut up images of food chains. Access to appropriate secondary sources.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put this food chain in order.
Q2.What is the role of the lion in this food chain?
Q3.Jun wants to make a food chain. He starts with sunflower seeds and then a mouse. What could be next in the food chain?
Q4.Sam has made this food chain. Match each living thing to its role.
to be food for the ladybird
to be food for the spider
to eat the ladybird
Q5.A food chain shows us...
Q6.Aisha uses the internet to find out what sharks eat. This is called...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false. Animals and plants can only appear in one food chain.
Q2.What does a food chain show?
Q3.Which questions do scientists ask when they compare?
Q4.In this food chain, which living thing is eaten by the aphids?
Q5.When we look at what is the same and what is different in food chains we are...
Q6.Alex's food chain shows that a plant is food for a ladybird and a ladybird is food for a spider. He compares it to the food chain that Jacob has made. What is the same? What is different?
To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: Comparing food chains, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 science lesson on: Comparing food chains, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 science lessons from the Introduction to food chains unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.