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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 child at the top of a slide? (kinetic (movement) / elastic potential (stretch or squash) / gravitational potential (height) / chemical) → gravitational potential (height)Prompt: Is it moving, raised up, stretched, hot, or able to release energy by reacting?
  2. A moving car speeds up. What happens to its kinetic energy? (It stays the same / It decreases / It increases / It becomes zero) → It increasesPrompt: Kinetic energy depends on speed.
  3. Which of these mainly has a gravitational potential (height) energy store? (a squashed spring / a cup of hot tea / a drawn bow / a book on a high shelf) → a book on a high shelfPrompt: 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: coal? (renewable / non-renewable) → non-renewablePrompt: Will it run out, or is it replaced naturally?
  2. What is a disadvantage of wind turbines? (They release lots of carbon dioxide while working / Wind will run out / They burn coal / They do not generate electricity when there is no wind) → They do not generate electricity when there is no windPrompt: What if the air is still?

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. Which energy resource is most reliable at any time of day or night? (wind / solar / geothermal / waves on a calm day) → geothermalPrompt: Which one does not depend on the weather or daylight?
  2. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)? (renewable / non-renewable) → non-renewablePrompt: Will it run out, or is it replaced naturally?

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

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: oil?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  2. Question 2

    Energy resources: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Hydroelectric power uses falling water.
    • B. Renewable resources never have any environmental impact.
    • C. Nuclear power stations do not release carbon dioxide while generating electricity.
    • D. Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels.

  3. Question 3

    What is a disadvantage of wind turbines?

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

  4. Question 4

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: tidal?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  5. Question 5

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: coal?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  6. Question 6

    Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

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

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Answer key: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

  1. 1. B. non-renewable

  2. 2. B. Renewable resources never have any environmental impact.

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

  4. 4. A. renewable

  5. 5. B. non-renewable

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