Supermarket Niche
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A Niche is what an animal does in its particular habitat. An animal's niche is closely tied to what it eats and how it eats it. Many animals can live and gather food in the same small area and not compete with each other for food if they have different niches.
Each person will be shopping for dinner for their family at the supermarket. Check your shopping list and pick up only those items you need for dinner. Notice that even though everyone searched for food in the same small area, everyone got what they needed. |
What happens if everyone has the same niche in the same small area? Fast forward to Super Bowl Sunday. Everyone wants to throw a Super Bowl Party, with tasty snacks, of course.
Now shop for the items on your Super Bowl Party shopping list. Pick up only those items you need for your Super Bowl Party. What happened? When animals have the same niche, they must compete for food. When animals compete for food, not every animal can get the food that it needs. Two animals of the same species in the same area will have the same niche, so they compete with each other for the food they need. Two different species can eat the same food, but in different ways or at different times of the day, so they do not compete with each other. |
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Set strong expectations with this game. Let students know where to stand, and when they are allowed to move. Remind them that this is to illustrate a concept - they don't need to hurt themselves trying to "win." Point out the hooks and warn students about possible dangers. Explain the concept thoroughly at each step of the way, don't just go through the motions. Check for comprehension. Use examples of animals the students know about. |
Put the cards back on the ledge when you're finished. Arrange them so no two cards of the same color are next to each other. Revisit the concept of niche as often as necessary throughout the hike, until your students truly understand it. |
Additional Resources
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