One period to view selected Ngorongoro video clips, introduce the concept of an ecosystem food chain, and discuss the roles of scavengers and decomposers. Ten to fifteen minutes a day for one week for student teams to observe, record, and photograph changes to their Decomposed Fruit Shish kebabs. Half a class period for discussion of final activity outcomes. Lesson Objectives Students learn what an ecosystem is. Students learn what a food chain is and its purpose.
Students learn about the various trophic levels within a food chain.
Students learn about the roles that herbivores, carnivores, scavengers, and decomposers play within an ecosystem. Students learn the definition of predator and prey. Students learn about some of the other scavengers within the animal kingdom. Students work in teams to prepare their decomposed fruit shish kebabs. Students work in teams to observe, write in their journals, and photograph all changes that occur to their fruit shish kebabs.