What is Energy?
On day one we will cover the basics of energy. The words renewable and nonrenewable will only be mentioned. More information will be provided throughout the week. On this day students will learn where energy comes from and what it can do.
Energy is amazing because it not only powers the human body to move through our day-to-day lives, but it also powers trees and other plants, animals and other living things. It even powers our cars, homes, appliances and electronics. Movement is caused by energy. Anytime you see branches of a tree move, the tires of a car rotate, or soup boil on the stove, energy is being used. We may not be able to actually see energy, but we can feel it and see what it does when it cools our homes or charges our phones (Getting Energized).
One form of energy can be changed into another form (AE kids). When we are cold and we use the energy stored in our bodies to move, it turns into heat that warms our bodies. Cars use the energy stored from gasoline to create heat so they can move. Energy can be found in light, heat, chemical reactions, sound, and movement. Our sun is the source of all energy and it can be stored in coal, natural gas, food, water, petroleum, and wind (Getting Energized!).
For this topic we will refer to two types of energy: renewable and nonrenewable. Much of the energy that we use comes from nonrenewable resources. These are coal, oil or petroleum, and natural gas. Renewable resources are things we cannot run out of.
On this day, the teacher will start with a picture of an energy source and the students will work together to brainstorm how or why we use that source. For example, wood. After the teacher showed the picture of wood she will ask what do we use wood for? How can we use it for energy? What could we use instead? She could also do this for things like water, food, gasoline, sunlight, electricity, etc. Then the students would brainstorm the types of energy that they use the most (i.e. electricity, gasoline, sunlight) and how they are used. This will allow the students to achieve the goal, understanding where energy comes from and what it can do.
Energy is amazing because it not only powers the human body to move through our day-to-day lives, but it also powers trees and other plants, animals and other living things. It even powers our cars, homes, appliances and electronics. Movement is caused by energy. Anytime you see branches of a tree move, the tires of a car rotate, or soup boil on the stove, energy is being used. We may not be able to actually see energy, but we can feel it and see what it does when it cools our homes or charges our phones (Getting Energized).
One form of energy can be changed into another form (AE kids). When we are cold and we use the energy stored in our bodies to move, it turns into heat that warms our bodies. Cars use the energy stored from gasoline to create heat so they can move. Energy can be found in light, heat, chemical reactions, sound, and movement. Our sun is the source of all energy and it can be stored in coal, natural gas, food, water, petroleum, and wind (Getting Energized!).
For this topic we will refer to two types of energy: renewable and nonrenewable. Much of the energy that we use comes from nonrenewable resources. These are coal, oil or petroleum, and natural gas. Renewable resources are things we cannot run out of.
On this day, the teacher will start with a picture of an energy source and the students will work together to brainstorm how or why we use that source. For example, wood. After the teacher showed the picture of wood she will ask what do we use wood for? How can we use it for energy? What could we use instead? She could also do this for things like water, food, gasoline, sunlight, electricity, etc. Then the students would brainstorm the types of energy that they use the most (i.e. electricity, gasoline, sunlight) and how they are used. This will allow the students to achieve the goal, understanding where energy comes from and what it can do.