Ecosystem Interaction Web

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Quick Check

1. Which organism is a producer?

Fox

Grass

Fungi

2. The fox eats the rabbit. This interaction is called:

Competition

Predation

Mutualism

Decomposition

3. Which shows the typical direction of matter/energy in a simple food chain?

Grass → Rabbit → Fox

Fox → Rabbit → Grass

Rabbit → Grass → Fox

4. Match each organism to its usual role. Draw lines between columns.

A. Rabbit

B. Fungi

C. Grass

D. Fox

1. Producer

2. Decomposer

3. Primary consumer

4. Secondary consumer

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers & Model

5. Describe one interaction from the activity web you built. Include the organisms, the interaction type (predation, competition, or symbiosis), and one sentence about how matter moves in that interaction.

6. Sketch a simple interaction web showing: grass, rabbit, fox, and fungi. Draw arrows to show matter flow and label one arrow "energy" or "matter".

7. Explain in 1–2 sentences how decomposers (like fungi or bacteria) help cycle matter back into the ecosystem.

8. Self-check: Rate your confidence with today's objectives and list one thing you'd like to improve or explore next.

"I can..." statements

I can identify types of interactions (predation, competition, symbiosis). I can explain how matter cycles among producers, consumers, and decomposers. I can build a simple model showing these interactions.

Success criteria

- Correctly classify at least 3 interaction examples. - Show matter flow arrows in your web model. - Explain one interaction and how matter moves in one clear sentence.

Differentiation strategies

Support: Use 3 organisms instead of more, provide sentence starters ("The ___ eats ___, which..."). Allow drawing or verbal response.

ELLs: Provide labeled picture cards and act out interactions. Use short, clear vocabulary cards (predator, prey, decomposer).

Challenge: Include abiotic factors (sunlight, water) in your web and explain how they affect matter and energy flow.

Extension activities

- Research a local backyard food web and create a poster showing interactions. - Design a short experiment observing decomposers in soil over several days. - Write a one-page story from the perspective of one organism describing its interactions and matter exchanges.