Start with one animal to make a food web.

 Now is the time to get ready for Biology in the fall.  Start with one animal!  Ideally, I encourage my students to select species which are native to Virginia.  Kiddos can look outside to see local species of wildlife and plants.  Here is how to create a food web.  First begin with one animal.  Let’s start with a cardinal.  What does it eat?  Where does it nest?  With whom does it compete for resources?  What animals eat cardinals?  This leads to more species of both plants and wildlife.  Add to the list. For example, squirrels eat baby cardinals.  Add squirrels to the list.  What do they eat, in addition to acorns?  (Add acorns, too!) In which trees to they prefer to nest?  What animals prey on their young?  Be sure to add plan species.  Include lichens, Virginia creeper, and poison ivy.  See how much the list has grown?  Once the kiddos is stumped for a new animal, make a few suggestions, such as bats or brown bears.  (As a parent, it’s not cheating to do a Google search.  You are a busy person!)  Each new animal should lead to any number of insect, plant, and animal species.  Once the kiddos is has 100 species, look up their scientific names.  I suggest a spreadsheet.  Now, it’s time to organize the species into a food web. Here are brief instructions.