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Where does energy come from?
Electricity, Light, & Heat Unit | Lesson 4 of 3

Where does energy come from?

Electricity, Light, & Heat Unit | Lesson 4 of 3
Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep

DISCUSS:

What changed? Why was Doug's childhood life so much easier than his great-grandma’s?

DISCUSS (1 of 2):

So far, what are the advantages (good parts) of getting energy by burning coal?

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

Besides coal and wood, what other sources of energy have YOU heard of that you burn to release energy?

Hint...

DISCUSS:

What kinds of alternative sources of energy have you heard of?

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the Exploration and Activity you just completed.
# Readings about Renewable Energy Sources

These readings are free with registration at Newsela or Readworks, both excellent sources of supplemental reading.

# Readings about solar energy

These readings are free with registration on Newsela. Readings can be adjusted for reading level. A writing prompt and a quiz question are available for each reading.

  • Read about groups who want to bring solar power to more communities. (Grade 3)

  • This article describes a new solar panel that can make power from sunlight and rain. (Grade 3)

  • This reading introduces a Thai street vendor who cooks chicken with sunlight. (Grade 4)

# Activity: Solar Oven

If you live somewhere with sunny weather, consider building a solar oven to make s’mores, a tasty treat.

You’ll find instructions here on NASA’s Climate Kids site. If you’d like the instructions as a pdf, scroll to the bottom of the page and look for “download this activity as a pdf.”

# Videos about Energy Sources
Slide Image

energy


1 of 17

the ability to do an action
Slide Image

electricity (electrical energy)


2 of 17

a type of energy, such as what usually powers light bulbs
Slide Image

windmill


3 of 17

a large structure that can turn wind into other forms of energy

wind energy (wind power)


4 of 17

energy of moving air; a renewable resource
Slide Image

solar panel


5 of 17

a panel that can absorb the Sun's light to use as a source of energy
Slide Image

solar energy (solar power)


6 of 17

energy from the Sun that can warm things up and be made into electricity; a renewable resource
Slide Image

hydroelectric energy (water energy)


7 of 17

using energy from flowing water to spin turbines to make electricity; a renewable resource
Slide Image

turbine


8 of 17

a machine that can turn the movement of wind and water into energy
Slide Image

coal


9 of 17

a dark rock made of fossil plants that can be burned and used for fuel

heat energy (thermal energy)


10 of 17

energy that is in the form of heat
Slide Image

pollution


11 of 17

something harmful in the environment
Slide Image

natural gas


12 of 17

a type of gas that can be used as a source of energy
Slide Image

renewable resource


13 of 17

a natural resource that exists in a limitless amount, such as wind
Slide Image

nonrenewable resource


14 of 17

a natural resource with a limited amount, such as coal
Slide Image

invent


15 of 17

to create something new, often an object or a way of doing something
Slide Image

engineer


16 of 17

a person who uses science to come up with solutions to problems
Slide Image

graph


17 of 17

an image that helps you understand information

Image & Video Credits

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Other
100 year old woman by Dan Negureanu
1945 firewood collection Berlin by Archival collection
AC window unit by Your best digs
Blue fire by Only Backgrounds
Blue flame by Mehmet Cetin
Boiling water by Arsenyg
Boy in shopping cart by Melbourne's biggest family album
Boy looking out winter by Maja Marjanovic
Boy mountain bikes by Collin Quinn
Burning wood by Love and Rock
Chemistry by Olivier Le Queinec
Coal Pile by Oleandra
Coal Pile by Oleandra
Coal chute by Overcrew
Coal miner working by Desperado
Coals by Rostislaw RST
Digital thermostat by Topseller
Electric heater by Freer
Electric power tower by QuiJu Song
Five Generations by Adam Selwood
Florence Italy, 1890 by North Wind Picture Archives
Horse and hay by Tasmanian archive
Kids around a camp fire by VIA Films
Malabotta Wood, forest by Diego Barucco
Man at computer by Director photo collection
Old Venetian courtyard by Niday Picture Library
Outlet by Rhonda Roth
Pumping gas by Dapoppta
Refrigerator door open by Marcello
Shipping containers by Lynn Media Global
Smoke village in winter by Grishayev
Smokey chimney by I'm Visuals Pictures
Tea kettle by Tedgun
Timber truck by tidepool stock
Tinder by AmyLv
Train fire, shovel by DocDop
Woman grocery shopping by 06 Photo
Wood burner stove by Andy Rogers

Featured Reviews

“I loved the real life situation and the ability to work collaboratively to come up with a plan based on evidence.”
“What a thought provoking activity. We learned a great deal, and took the discussion even further after the activity to look in depth at the pros and cons of each energy source. Thank you!”
“Hit a variety of standards in 1 lesson. Students had to use higher level thinking skills to complete. ”
“The students learned so much about alternative energy resources. They were engaged and interested!”
“We loved the discussion about renewable and nonrenewable energy! Also, the problem solving skills involved in planning for the town at the end were great!”
“The step-by-step video instructions with graphics made it student-centered, and teacher-friendly!”
“I loved it when the kids had to brainstorm their ideas from the graphs and data that they were given.”
“The discussions that came at just the right times. Good balance of discussion and work. Great lesson!”
“We had a BLAST! Lots of discussion between partners and small groups. The kids were engaged and learning! Many students have developed questions that arose as a result of this activity and are excited to learn more about alternative energy. Thank you!”
“The videos were very well produced and aimed at an appropriate level for my students. They enjoyed them. The questions were framed well. The exercises were also great!”
“The videos are a great way to show students what you're talking about. Some of my students have never seen windmills in person. I also liked that the activity was a critical thinking activity and used minimal resources in order to conduct. ”
“Loved the interactive part of the lesson. The activity helped my students see the real world of engineering.”
“Love the connection of ELA within science! Students had to use the text to determine which energy source was best. ”
“The kids really enjoyed the activity.They like the step by step process to walk them through it. It makes them think.”
“I like how it doesn't take a lot of materials and the students were still engaged! ”
“Activites that were engaging and applicable to life!”
“Awesome!!!”
Lesson narration:

Grade 4

Electricity, Light, & Heat

Renewable Energy & Natural Resources

4-ESS3-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different sources of energy, including burnable fuels and alternative (renewable) energies. In the activity, Power this Town, students obtain and combine information about wind energy, solar energy, and water energy. They use this information to determine the best alternative energy sources for a town called Boulderville.
Preview activity

Exploration

21 mins

Wrap-Up

4 mins

Grade 4

Electricity, Light, & Heat

Renewable Energy & Natural Resources

4-ESS3-1

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Electricity Lesson 4: Where does energy come from?

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