What Is a Food Chain?

A food chain shows how energy and nutrients move through an ecosystem. For example, the Sun gives energy to plants, which are then eaten by animals, such as herbivores. The energy continues to move when carnivores eat the herbivores. This is how energy is transferred between different organisms.

With this teaching presentation, students will learn what a food chain is, the organisms that make up a food chain (producers and consumers), and have a chance to test their knowledge of these concepts.

Through this activity, students will identify and describe the flow of energy in a food chain.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your science lessons. 

In addition to whole-class lessons, use this food chain teaching presentation to enhance learning through guided science groups or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by providing further questioning to help students understand why certain organisms are in a specific place in a food chain. 

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need a bit of a challenge, encourage them to draw their own food chain on a piece of paper. Students can show how energy is transferred by drawing at least 4 organisms in their food chain.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the Download button to access the editable Google Slides version of this resource.

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This resource was created by Melissa McLaren, a teacher in Massachusetts and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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