Wrapping it up!

Now watch the video clip below. Can you tell me 3 things you have learned from our adventures together in New Orleans?

Can You See Me?

We understand that plants and animals depend on the balance of the food web. However, many animals such as this caterpillar have developed defenses to help them hide and escape predators. Can you take a guess what predators this caterpillar is trying to hide from?

Scary Stories

New Orleans and most cities in Louisiana have a rich history of folk stories and ghost legends. One such legend is of a swamp monster / creature. While this is only a display in the zoo, many people have great stories to share and even try to spook the tourist. Can you think of a great story to go along with this picture? I cannot wait to see if you can scare me!

Can You Find a Food Chain?

This is a picture is a well balanced ecosystem. Can you identify the source of energy for this ecosystem? What would be the producers? What would be the consumers?

Isn’t This A Producer?

This is a picture of Spanish moss. Spanish moss grows on tall trees. This plant does not make energy from the sun, but steals the food from the tree it grows on. Do you think that this plant is a producer?

Food Chain

Caterpillars are herbivores with lots of predators. One predator laid an egg on this caterpillar. You can see the bump on its side. Speculate (guess) what type of predator do you think could have laid the egg.

Look at what we found!

These are some caterpillars we have found. Aren’t they cool? Can you tell me 1 way all of these caterpillars are the same and 1 way they are all different?

Decomposers

This is a short video clip on decomposers. Can you explain why decomposers are an important part of the ecosystem?

Open Ended Question #8

Explain the differences between a food chain and a food web.

Open Ended Question #7

If a change is made to a food web, describe some of the effects.

Open Ended Question #6

Describe how plants make energy.

Open Ended Question #5

Explain the purpose of decomposers in an ecosystem.

Open Ended Question #4

Explain how producers and consumers are in a balance.

Open Ended Question #3

Explain why there are more producers than consumers.

Open Ended Question #2

How are producers and consumers different? How are they both similar?

Open Ended Question #1

Explain how does energy move from the sun to animals?

2 Weeks To Go!

Mrs. Connolly, Mrs. Janulis and my classes have been learning about food webs and how energy is moved from producers to consumers. They would like to share some of their knowledge with you by answering these questions.

Hunting for Caterpillars in New Orleans

1 month to go...

While I prepare for this great adventure for both my students and myself, there is work to be done to prepare both my students as well as Mrs. Connolly's class. Knowledge of how to navigate the internet and how to respond to a blog is lessons that students need to learn. Testing the communication technology and building vocabulary and background knowledge are also goals to begin work on.

My goals of the Earthwatch program:
* bring students into the real world of science using technology
* become knowledgeable on how to blog
* understand the interdependence of all living things through an ecological view
* become critical thinkers of the world

I cannot wait to get started!