Ecology Exploration-Predator/Prey Relationships

Lesson Overview

This lesson is about categorizing organizational levels in ecosystems to include biomes, niches, habitats, populations, and communities.  Predator/prey relationships in ecological systems will also be explored through activities, videos, and labs. Assessments will be with paper/pen test and online quizzes.

Tiger-Deer Predator/Prey Relationship

Engage

I show a video to engage the students to think about the different behaviors of the two animals in this ecological relationship between predator and prey.

This video is of an eagle and hare and the predator/prey relationship they encompass.

Explain

Students will read this article on fear exchanged between the predator and prey provided by the University of Western Ontario from Phys.org.com website.  We will then have a discussion about other animals that elicit this same behavior.  Students will then discuss situations where they have elicited this behavior.

Here is an article where fear is a motivating factor of a predator/prey relationship.

A slideshow compliments of science teacher Mrs. Joelle R. King swift.tahoma.wednet.edu  shows the food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids quite nicely.

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Elaborate

In this activity, it is best if 15-20 students are grouped together but can have fewer numbers of students as well.  Students will be in a 30-foot diameter circle.  First select predators and prey that are in the same natural environment and are natural predators such as owl/mouse, wolf/deer, and fish/minnow.  In the large circle, one student will be blindfolded(predator) and the other student will represent the prey by making the animal sound every 5 seconds.  The circle may need to be made smaller if the predator is having a difficult time catching the prey.

In nature, the prey outnumber the predators so in this next scenario have 2-3 students be the predators and 8-10 be the prey. The set-up is the same as the other activity where the predator is blindfolded and the prey makes a sound every 5 seconds.  After the prey has been caught by the predator they then become a predator themselves.  Eventually, all the prey will be caught which will lead into the discussion of competition. 

All the students will have a chance to play both the predator role and the role of the prey so they can appreciate both sides.  Students should hold their hands out in front of them at shoulder width to act as barriers to avoid any safety issues when blindfolded. 

At the end of the activity ask students for their ideas and how they felt being both the predator and then the prey?  Ask students what happened when the prey became low in numbers? What were some strategies used by the prey to escape the predator? What tactics were used by the predator to catch the prey?

There are many predator/prey relationships and this activity allows further discussion leading to the discussion of food chains and food webs.numerous predator-prey relationships that exist and additional research into food chains.[2]  

Here students will play a food web game to match up levels from the top of the food chain to the bottom. This web game was provided by http://coolclassroom.org/cool_windows/home.html   

Here are activities to increase your understanding

Evaluate

The students will be assessed with an online test covering both predator/prey relationships as well as food chains, food webs, and the energy pyramid.  The test is compliments of Oakland Schools of California.

An online assessment to test your skills.

I would like to thank Better Lesson for the model that was used for this lesson.