In spring, the Bering Sea turns green due to phytoplankton, which live at the surface, experiencing a population explosion. Groups of scholars play a food chain game, writing down food chains as the game is played. After five to six rounds, the group answers questions about the role of organisms in their food chains.

Concepts

food chains, the arctic ocean, producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• As a class, read the Bering Sea: Who Lives There? before the activity and briefly discuss

Classroom Considerations

• Copy, cut out, and use the short descriptions of organisms as the Alaska Fisheries Species Cards; pictures of organisms can be glued on back of respective cards or not used
• Page with eats and eaten by can be cut out and used or you can omit these cards 
• Game fits best with elementary or middle school learners

Pros

• Activity provides cute food chain song, which may help some scholars remember roles of organisms
• Provides data sheets, short reading, organism information, and lyrics to songs

Cons

• Directions are a bit confusing and don't exactly match the provided materials; teachers may need to tweak the game

Common Core

RST.6-8.3