Catalyst (5 minutes) How are plants and animals different? What different kinds of foods can animals eat? What other roles can organisms have in their environment?

Turn to page 52 in your book

Producers Organisms that use sunlight directly to make food. They do this by using a process called a photosynthesis. Most producers are plants, but algae and some bacteria are also producers.

Autotroph Autotroph is another name for a producer because “Auto” means “Self” “Troph” means “Feeding” An autotroph is a “self-feeding” organism Plants make their own food!

Consumers Organisms that eat other organisms. They cannot use the sun’s energy to make food like producers can. Instead, consumers eat producers or other animals to obtain energy. There are several kinds of consumers!

Heterotroph Heterotroph is another name for a producer because … “Hetero” means “Other” “Troph” means “Feeding” An autotroph is a “other-feeding” organism Consumers rely on others for feeding!

Herbivore A consumer that eats only plants. Herbivores found in the prairie include grasshoppers, prairie dogs, and bison.

Carnivore A consumer that eats animals. Carnivores in the prairie include coyotes, hawks, badgers, and owls.

Omnivore Consumers that eat both plants and animals. The grasshopper mouse is an example of an omnivore. It eats insects, lizards, and grass seeds.

Scavengers Omnivores that eat dead plants and animals. The turkey vulture is a scavenger in the prairie.

Decomposers Organisms that get energy by breaking down dead organisms. Bacteria and fungi are decomposers. Decomposers are important because they are nature’s recyclers!

Producer, Consumer, or Decomposer?

Producer, Consumer, or Decomposer?

Producer, Consumer or Decomposer?

Producer, Consumer, or Decomposer?

Producer, Consumer, or Decomposer?

Homework Tonight! Using your Cornell notes from today’s lesson, make 7 note cards for your new vocabulary (Producer, Consumer, Herbivore, Omnivore, Carnivore, Scavenger, Decomposer) On the front of each note card, write the vocabulary word (found on the left side of your Cornell notes from today). On the back of each note card, write the definition you’ve copied (found on the right side of your Cornell notes from today). You will place your completed note cards on your desk during Thursday’s catalyst for Ms. McGuirk to check off, and you will study your note cards for your quiz on Thursday!