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Energy Conservation Learning Activities- Elementary

Grades 1 to 8

Elementary, Middle

Description

This resource offers a progressive, grade-by-grade discussion of ecological concepts related to energy conservation. A range of activities provide teachers with ideas and resources to incorporate ecological thinking into their teaching while integrating environmental learning expectations within different strands of the curriculum. Each learning activity provides background facts and specific student activities in a lesson plan format, 

Students in grades 1 to 4 will:

  • explore the electricity requirements of household devices and the sources for that electricity
  • brainstorm a list of ways to conserve energy at home and in the classroom.
  • describe their own and their family’s use of energy; suggest ways to reduce personal energy consumption 
  • learn how to use wind energy to move various objects 
  • conduct an experiment to see how plants and certain colours of paint can be used to help keep a house cool.
  • turn the classroom into a forest community so that they can explore the effects of  habitat loss on the species living there. 
  • consider habitat impacts from human energy needs 
  • graphically represent what happens to their forest species (cartoon, graph, mural, poster), due to habitat destruction
  • write their own story of habitat loss from the perspective of their species.                                                                   

To help teachers find additional information or lesson plan ideas, each learning activity lists relevant resources with website links. Wherever possible, outdoor learning opportunities are outlined for each grade.

 

General Assessment

What skills does this resource explicitly teach?

  • Articulating a hypothesis or research question
  • Making observations
  • Conducting experiments

Strengths

  • The resource offers teachers ideas for integrating the environmental learning expectations within the elementary curriculum.
  • The resource is thorough and easy to use.
  • Provides suggestions for outdoor experiences.
  • Provides hands-on, inquiry based learning experiences.
  • The resource allows teachers to incorporate ecological thinking into their teaching.
  • To help teachers find additional information or lesson plan ideas, each learning activity lists relevant resources with website links to enhance the learning.
  • The resource encourages students to become part of the EcoSchools program. It encourages students to discuss ways to save electricity in the school, such as having a light monitor, not having all the lights on during a bright day, turning off the computers at night, etc. The resource suggest schools use the EcoSchools program EcoReviews to assess how effective their classroom and school practices are at conserving energy. The EcoReviews sheets can be downloaded from the website located under the Forms and Resources section.

Weaknesses

  • Needs to include some assessment tools as well as accommodations for students with learning difficulties.
  • Include stronger opportunities for students to share their learning.
  • Include some Canadian case studies.
  • Incorporate stronger economic and social connections to the environmental theme.

Recommendation of how and where to use it

  • The resource offers teachers ideas for integrating the environmental learning expectations within the elementary curriculum.
  • Lesson activities for grades one to four
  • Science

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Electricity and Magnetism
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4:Energy can be transformed
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Forces That Attract or Repel
        • Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitat and Communities
        • Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Health Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Our Local Environment : :Scientific Literacy
        • Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Learning and Living Sustainably
        • Properties and Uses of Earth Materials: Scientific Literacy
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily & Seasonal Changes
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
        • Relative Position and Motion
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Invisible Forces
        • Plant Growth & Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
        • Rocks, Minerals & Erosion
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Cycles
        • Energy and Control: Energy in our Lives
        • Life Systems: Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 2: Drama
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
        • Energy and Control: Energy from Wind and Moving Water
        • Structures and Mechanisms: Movement
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
        • Science 1:Daily & Seasonal Change
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Air and Water in the Environment
        • Science 2:Motion
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4: Habitats
        • Science 4: Rocks and Minerals and Erosion
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
        • Energy and Control: Energy from Wind and Moving Water
        • Structures and Mechanisms: Movement
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy & Control: Forces & Movement
        • Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Conservation of Energy
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Changes
        • Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
        • Matter and Energy: Energy in Our Lives
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Drama
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air & Water in the Environment
        • Structures and Mechanisms: Simple Machines and Movement
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Plants
        • Matter and Energy: Forces and Motion
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Rocks, Minerals, and Geological Processes
        • Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy & Resources
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Matter and Energy: Electrical Phenomena, Energy, and Devices
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air & Water in the Environment
        • Relative Position & Motion
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Invisible Forces
        • Plant Growth & Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats
        • Rocks, Minerals & Erosion
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Daily and Seasonal Changes
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Air and Water in the Environment
        • Motion and Relative Position
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth and Changes
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Habitats and Communities
        • Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 4:Energy can be transformed

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Habitat Loss

Energy (2)

  • Alternative Energy
  • Energy Use

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle Rating Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives Good
  • The experiments allow the students to draw their own conclusions based on the information they gather in the classroom. Students are not influenced to any particular point of view.
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
  • Satisfactory: absence of bias towards any one point of view
  • Good: students consider different points of view regarding issues, problems discussed
  • Very good: based on the consideration of different views, students form opinions and  take an informed position
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions Good
  • The lesson activities for grades one to four only address the environmental dimension, the economic and social issues are addressed in the other lesson plans.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions:

Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.

  • Satisfactory: resource supports the examination of  these dimensions
  • Good:  resource explicitly examines the interplay of these dimensions
  • Very Good:  a systems-thinking approach is encouraged to examine these three dimensions
Respects Complexity Good
  • The lesson activities allow students to identify interactions between the human and the natural world. Analyzing these interactions helps students understand some of the causes and consequences of human impact on the environment and vice versa.
Respects Complexity:

The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected.

Acting on Learning Good
  • The resource encourages students to become part of the EcoSchools program. It encourages students to discuss ways to save electricity in the school, such as having a light monitor, not having all the lights on during a bright day, turning off the computers at night, etc. The resource suggest schools use the EcoSchools program EcoReviews to assess how effective their classroom and school practices are at conserving energy.
Acting on Learning:

Learning moves from understanding  issues  to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community,  or for the planet

  • Satisfactory: action opportunities are included as extensions 
  • Good: action opportunities are core components of the resource
  • Very Good: action opportunities for students are well supported and intended to result in observable, positive change
Values Education Satisfactory
  • Students are not explicitly given an opportunity to clarify their own values but share their findings during discussions.
Values Education:

Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values.

Empathy & Respect for Humans Poor/Not considered
  • Not considered in this resource.
Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.).
Personal Affinity with Earth Good
  • Wherever possible, outdoor learning opportunities are outlined for each grade which are identified by a foot graphic in the resource.
Personal Affinity with Earth:

Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.  

  • Satisfactory: connection is made to the natural world
  • Good: fosters appreciation/concern for the natural world
  • Very Good: fosters stewardship though practical and respectful experiences out-of-doors 
Locally-Focused Learning Good
  • The lesson activities suggest ways to conserve energy at home and in the classroom.
Locally-Focused Learning:

Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community. 

  • Satisfactory: learning is made relevant to the lives of the learners
  • Good: learning is made relevant and has a local focus
  • Very Good: learning is made relevant, local and takes place ‘outside’ , in the community 
Past, Present & Future Satisfactory

  • The resource activities help students develop both ecological literacy and environmental practices to become environmentally responsible citizens and reduce the ecological footprint of schools.

Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle Rating Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction Good
  • The learning activities provide students with opportunities to engage in scientific inquiry. Students raise questions about the issue, gather evidence through many types of investigations including observing and doing experiments.
Open-Ended Instruction :

Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer.

Integrated Learning Satisfactory
Integrated Learning:

Learning brings together content and skills  from more than one  subject area

  • Satisfactory: content from a number of different  subject areas is readily identifiable
  • Good:  resource is appropriate for use in more than one subject area
  • Very Good:  the lines between subjects are blurred 
Inquiry Learning Good
  • The learning activities provide students with opportunities to engage in scientific inquiry. Students raise questions about the issue, gather evidence through many types of investigations including observing and doing experiments.
Inquiry Learning:

Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.   

  • Satisfactory: Students are provided with questions/problems to solve and some direction on how to arrive at solutions.
  • Good: students, assisted by the teacher clarify the question(s) to ask and the process to follow to arrive at solutions.  Sometimes referred to as Guided Inquiry
  • Very Good:  students generate the questions and assume much of the responsibility for how to solve them.  . Sometimes referred to as self-directed learning.

 

Differentiated Instruction Good
  • The lesson activities address a range of learning styles, The activities provide a variety of discussion and brainstorming activities, individual and cooperative learning assignments, hands-on and outdoor opportunities.
Differentiated Instruction:

Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.

  • Satisfactory:  includes a variety of instructional approaches
  • Good: addresses  the needs of visual, auditory &  kinesthetic learners
  • Very Good: also includes strategies for learners with difficulties
Experiential Learning Good
Experiential Learning:

Authentic learning experiences are provided

  • Satisfactory: learning takes place through ‘hands-on’ experience or simulation
  • Good: learning involves direct experience in a ‘real world context’
  • Very good: learning involves ‘real world experiences’ taking place’ beyond the school walls.
Cooperative Learning Satisfactory
  • Students work individually, with a partner, and in small cooperative learning groups during some of the activities.
Cooperative Learning:

Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.

  • Satisfactory:  students work in groups
  • Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught and practiced
  • Very Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught, practiced and assessed
Assessment & Evaluation Poor/Not considered
  • No assessments tools are suggested or provided.
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc.
Peer Teaching Satisfactory
  • A few of the lesson activities involve a think-pair-share and discussion opportunities. 
Peer Teaching:

Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.

  • Satisfactory: incidental teaching that arises from cooperative learning, presentations, etc.
  • Good or Very Good: an opportunity is intentionally created to empower students to teach other students/community members. The audience is somehow reliant on the students' teaching (students are not simply ‘presenting')
Case Studies Poor/Not considered
  • Not considered in this resource.
Case Studies:

Relevant case studies are included.  Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore  concepts in an authentic context.

Locus of Control Good
  • Extension activities and numerous websites to enhance the learning are provided throughout the resource.
Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue.

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