WHO ATE WHOM?
An interactive and experiential
illustration of food web dynamics
Dunwoody Nature Center
2014 Petey Giroux Dragonfly Grant Recipient
FINAL REPORT
THE PROGRAM
Goal: Improve student comprehension
and retention of food web terms and
concepts
Who ate Whom? is designed to bring to life the
interaction of producers, consumers, and
decomposers using puppets and props
purchased through the EEA of Georgia’s Petey
Giroux Dragonfly Grant. As part of our Food,
Webs, and Chains field trip, fourth grade
students are challenged to produce a skit by
role-playing as plants and animals and directing
their actions in a dramatic recreation of food
web interactions.
As actors and directors, students use their pre-existing knowledge of plant and
animal behaviors and their newly introduced food web terms and concepts to
create a totally student led production of the interactions that occur in nature’s
food web.
A grasshopper munching on some flowers
LEARNING
ARTS
NATURE
Like the interdependence of a food web, Who ate Whom? connects learning, arts, and nature.
Connecting Learning and the Arts:
There is much research on the connection of the inclusion of the arts in school curricula and
learning outcomes, including performing arts. We chose to give the students an opportunity to
direct and produce their own dramatic role-play of the interactions of organisms in a food web.
During this process, students use elaboration to provide their own details and storylines to recreate the natural food-web in their assigned habitat.
Connecting the Arts and Nature:
By using plant and animal puppets that students have familiarity with, to represent the
producers and consumers; students are able to quickly assume their roles and use appropriate
sounds and movements to provide rich context to the role-play. Through physical manipulation
of the puppets, it allows for them to experience their role in nature’s food web and more easily
connect with their animal.
Connecting Learning and Nature:
Through the process of elaboration, defined as “… the process of enhancing ideas by providing
more detail. Additional detail and clarity improves interest in, and understanding of, the topic”
(Torrance, 1979), who ate whom? Increases the likelihood of the students retaining the
characters and action of a natural food web.
Who ate Whom?
Characters and
Habitats
Meadow
Woodland
Wetland
Producers
Producers
Producers
Berries
Acorns (2)
Flowers
Flower (2 varieties)
Berries
Water Plants
Flowers
Berries
Rabbit
Consumers
Consumers
Fawn
Chipmunk
Deer
Raccoon
Squirrel
Turtle
Red Fox
Mouse
Cricket
Snake
Screech owl
Dragonfly
Bird egg
Bee
Otter
Bee
Spider
Coyote
Eagle
Snake
Bear
Ladybug
Great Horned Owl
Raccoon
Turtle
Bear
Frog
Grasshopper
Raccoon
Eagle
Consumers
Fish
Butterfly
Decomposer
Decomposer
Mushroom
Mushroom
Decomposer
Mushroom
THE IMPACT
Quantity and Quality
Through October 2014, we have had 110 students participate in the program with
an expectation of another 150-200 students by the end of 2014-2015 school year.
This will be an ongoing venture with potential to impact thousands of students.
The program has enhanced student enjoyment and learning as well as teacher
approval. Of the field trip survey respondents, 100 % would recommend Food
Webs and Chains to their peers.
Who ate Whom?
EEA Petey Giroux Butterfly Grant
Grant Expense Report
Category
Amount
Puppets (animals)
$477
Props (plants)
$109
LESS DNC Contribution
($30)
Total
$556
A snake getting ready to enjoy a bird egg