Food Chains & Interactions
3rd Science Core: 2.1.A, 2.1.B, 2.1.C, 2.2.A, 2.2.B, and 2.2.E
Learn about the food web, and how plants and animals in the Jordan River corridor are connected in a complex web of specific environments and food sources. Each student will be play the role of a different resident of the Jordan River Parkway (e.g. cottonwood tree, beaver, butterfly). Is your plant or animal a primary producer, an herbivore, carnivore or omnivore? We’ll arrange ourselves into a food web in order of who eats whom. What animals have the longest food chain? What plants are the foundation of the entire Jordan River ecosystem? What happens if one member of the food chain disappears?
Next, we will explore the Jordan River corridor in a guided eco-walk. Students will look for evidence of different animals and their habitats as we explore the Jordan River Parkway. Students will have the opportunity to look through real binoculars, use a magnifying glass or an insect sweep net. In the field, we’ll try to spot common plants and animals with the help of a field guide, and all our observations will be recorded in a field journal.
Check Out/Schedule:
Check out the teaching toolkit for use in your classroom or schedule a walking field trip to the Jordan River with one of our educators! Please fill out this sign-up form and email it to Erin at emounce@utah.gov. If you have questions, refer to our FAQ page, or feel free to give us a call!
