👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Guide

Objective
Students will explain what predators and prey are, describe at least three ways predators are adapted for hunting, and tell why predator–prey relationships help keep an ecosystem in balance.

Vocabulary
predator, prey, ecosystem, population, habitat, camouflage, carnivore, nocturnal, senses

Teaching Notes

• Start with a quick think–pair–share: “Name an animal that hunts and an animal that is hunted.” List answers in two columns (predator / prey).
• Sketch a simple food chain on the board (for example, grass → rabbit → hawk) and ask, “Who is the predator? Who is the prey?”
• Emphasize that predators are not “mean”; they are animals meeting their needs for food.
• Connect to prior learning about habitats and basic needs (food, water, shelter, space).
• Encourage careful word choice: “predator” and “prey” instead of “good guys” and “bad guys.”

🧒 Student Worksheet

Concept and Helping Material

Definition. A predator is an animal that hunts and eats other animals. The animals it hunts are called prey. Predators and prey live together in the same ecosystem, and their numbers affect each other.

Helping ideas and samples:

• Think of a food chain you know. Circle the predator and underline the prey.
• Add one more predator or prey animal to the chain to show what might also live there.
• Name one place in your life where you see predators and prey (on a farm, in a park, in the ocean, in a nature video, etc.).
• Safety note: We observe wild animals from a distance. We do not try to touch or feed wild predators.

Vocabulary and Definition

• — an animal that hunts and eats other animals
• — an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal
• — all the living and nonliving things that interact in one place
• — the number of animals of one kind in an area
• — the place where an animal naturally lives and finds what it needs
• — colors or patterns that help an animal blend in with its surroundings
• — an animal that mostly eats other animals
• — active at night and resting during the day
• — sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch

Words to Learn

, , , , , , , ,

Sentences to Fill In

Complete each sentence with a word from Words to Learn.

1. A lion that hunts zebras is a .
2. The zebras that are hunted are the .
3. A forest, its animals, and the air, water, and soil they share form an .
4. If too many predators are removed, the prey may grow too large.
5. A rabbit’s must give it food, water, and places to hide.
6. A snowshoe hare turns white in winter; this helps it avoid predators.
7. An owl is a because it mostly eats meat.
8. Bats are and hunt insects at night.
9. Predators use their to find and capture prey.

Think & Respond Q&A

1. Why do predators need prey?
2. How can predators help keep prey populations healthy?
3. What might happen if there were suddenly many more predators in a small ecosystem?
4. How might excellent eyesight help a predator?
5. How could camouflage help a predator?
6. Why is it important for prey animals to sense danger quickly?
7. Give one example of a predator–prey pair on land.
8. Give one example of a predator–prey pair in water.
9. How can people accidentally upset predator–prey balance?
10. What is one way people can help protect predators and prey?

Hands-On Experiment or Activities

Predator–Prey Bean Game

What You Need:
A large open space, two colors of small objects (such as paper squares or beans), and a chart to record numbers.

What You Do:

1. Choose one color to be “prey” and scatter many pieces around the space.
2. Choose a few students to be “predators.” They collect prey pieces during a short round.
3. Count how many prey pieces are left and how many each predator collected.
4. Change the number of predators or prey and play again.

Think and Talk:
What changed? What stayed the same?

Reflection

• What did you learn about predators and prey?
• Which predator–prey example was most interesting to you, and why?
• How can understanding predators and prey help people make good choices about nature?