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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes

Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Energy

CCSS NGSS.4-ESS3-1CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS3-2England: KS3 Physics: Energy (fuels and energy resources)England: KS4 Combined Science: Energy

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Energy stores and transfers

Leads to: How using energy resources affects the environment; Compare energy resources for generating electricity

Materials: Wind-up toys or a pendulum, Energy transfer diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Energy stores and transfers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which energy store is most important here: a squashed spring? (gravitational potential (height) / elastic potential (stretch or squash) / chemical / thermal (heat)) → elastic potential (stretch or squash)Prompt: Is it moving, raised up, stretched, hot, or able to release energy by reacting?
  2. A ball is dropped. Which energy store decreases as it falls? (elastic / nuclear / gravitational potential / kinetic) → gravitational potentialPrompt: It is getting lower.
  3. Which of these mainly has a elastic potential (stretch or squash) energy store? (a book on a high shelf / a child at the top of a slide / a flying aeroplane (airplane) / a stretched rubber band) → a stretched rubber bandPrompt: Think about what each object is doing.

Hook · 3 min

  • Wind up a toy or stretch an elastic band and ask where the energy goes.
  • Share the objective: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: wind?
  • Step 1: Renewable resources will not run out; they are replaced naturally.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: renewable
  • Answer: renewable
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: biofuel from crops? (renewable / non-renewable) → renewablePrompt: Will it run out, or is it replaced naturally?
  2. Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change? (It cools the atmosphere / It releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas / It uses up nitrogen / It releases oxygen) → It releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gasPrompt: What gas is made when carbon burns?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Energy resources: which statement is NOT true? (Renewable resources never have any environmental impact. / Nuclear power stations do not release carbon dioxide while generating electricity. / Solar panels do not produce electricity at night. / Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels.) → Renewable resources never have any environmental impact.Prompt: Will uranium last forever?
  2. What is a disadvantage of wind turbines? (They do not generate electricity when there is no wind / They burn coal / They release lots of carbon dioxide while working / Wind will run out) → They do not generate electricity when there is no windPrompt: What if the air is still?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Energy stores and transfers.
  • Use concrete materials: wind-up toys or a pendulum.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: How using energy resources affects the environment; Compare energy resources for generating electricity.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-4.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Energy resources: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Hydroelectric power uses falling water.
    • B. Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels.
    • C. Solar panels do not produce electricity at night.
    • D. Wind turbines burn fuel to turn.

  2. Question 2

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: natural gas?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  3. Question 3

    Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

    • A. It uses up nitrogen
    • B. It cools the atmosphere
    • C. It releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
    • D. It releases oxygen

  4. Question 4

    What is a disadvantage of wind turbines?

    • A. They burn coal
    • B. They do not generate electricity when there is no wind
    • C. Wind will run out
    • D. They release lots of carbon dioxide while working

  5. Question 5

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  6. Question 6

    Which energy resource is most reliable at any time of day or night?

    • A. wind
    • B. waves on a calm day
    • C. geothermal
    • D. solar

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Answer key: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

  1. 1. D. Wind turbines burn fuel to turn.

  2. 2. B. non-renewable

  3. 3. C. It releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas

  4. 4. B. They do not generate electricity when there is no wind

  5. 5. B. non-renewable

  6. 6. C. geothermal