TITLE OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Who's For Dinner by Janice Rich

1. LEARNING CONTEXT
MST 4: Students will understand and apply scientific principles, theories, pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. PERFORMANCE INDICATOR: Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.

As part of a biome unit students will have a basic understanding of the life systems existing within different biomes. Students will need to know what a food chain is, how it functions, primary and secondary consumers, and how to access the Internet.

2. PROCEDURE
Students will choose a paper plate with the name of an animal already on it. The student will research the organism and write a description of how the organism gets energy on the back of the plate and draws a picture of the organism on the front.

After the students have completed their plates they are to find the two or three classmates whose organisms are members of the same food chain. Students are to put the organisms in order to create a food chain mobile.

3. INSTRUCTIONAL/ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS
A variety of printed materials and on-line resources will be available to students. The teacher will also be available to assist students who are having difficulties. Students could also buddy up.

4. TIME REQUIRED
Teacher swill need time to gather materials and write the names of various organisms on the paper plates. Students will need time to do research and time to create the food chain mobile. Estimated total time for students 2 days.

5. RESOURCES
Students will need reference materials, computer access, paper plates and art supplies. Teacher will need paper plates, reference materials and art supplies.

6. ASSESSMENT PLAN
Student achievement will be assessed through teacher observation, completed food chain and rubric (Utica City School District-Living Environment) and teacher assessment of the finished product (checked for accuracy of information and neatness of presentation).

7. STUDENT WORK
Students enjoyed this project. There was plenty of time for the research to be completed.

8. REFLECTION
Students really enjoyed this lesson. They were actively engaged at all times. Students help each other locate information and figure out what they needed to put on the back of their plates. For those students who needed the teachers assistance, the teacher was free to give any help necessary. The use of art work gave all students a chance to shine. Students gained a better understanding of what happens in a food chain.