Human Impact on Food Webs

Summary

Students will create a short video news cast describing how a human activity is affecting a local food web and then they will offer a solution. (Alternative -- If cameras and editing software are not available, have students present their broadcast live, in front of the class, using posters for their title and credits.)

Materials

• Food Web handout (attached to rubric)
• digital video camera
• movie editing software (iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, etc…)
• student page

Instructional Procedures

1. Hook activity -- Follow this link Mouse Plague Video and show video, then ask the students how humans may have played a part in creating this problem. Stress that it is possible that it is a natural phenomenon.
2. Divide students into groups of three.
3. Give students a copy of the food web, the student sheet, and a copy of the rubric (attached).
4. Have students create their own hypothetical problem caused by humans.
5. Tell the students that they will have to create a news broadcast describing the problem and the impact on the food web. In the broadcast they will also have to suggest a realistic solution to the problem.
6. Have the students write their script (optional -- students have the teacher approve the script).
7. On a subsequent day, have the students take turns recording their broadcasts.
8. Where possible, have the students edit their video by adding a title, and ending credits.
9. Play videos for the class.

Assessment Plan

Use rubric attached.

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.