Lesson 1: Our Energy
Encourage students to work in groups to research the variety of energy sources used in the United States and creatively present their findings to the class.
OBJECTIVE
Language Arts—gather and use information for research; Physical Science—understand the structure and properties of matter
Time Required: One 40-minute class period, plus research and homework time
MATERIALS
Worksheet 1: “Our Energy” (PDF), pen/pencil, Internet and library access
DIRECTIONS
1. Explain that in the United States electricity is generated using a variety of energy sources. These sources include coal, natural gas, nuclear, oil, solar power, water, and wind. Energy sources are found in different amounts in each of the U.S. states, and are collected in different ways. For example, some energy sources are dug out of the ground, while others are collected from the movement of air or water. (You may want to share the map with students at this point, and show them the different sources across the United States.)
2. Divide the class into teams and assign each team an energy source. Distribute copies of Worksheet 1. As homework, instruct students to use library resources and/or the Internet to research their topic. Instruct students to visit the government Web site at http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/. This Web site, which is from the U.S. Department of Energy, has information for every state’s energy sources.
3. Inform students to use the questions on Worksheet 1 (PDF) to guide their research. The questions will help them focus on the important information surrounding their topic. Students should collect notes and use them to create a written report.
4. Each team member should present a specific part of the report. Encourage students to be creative in their presentation. Visual aids can include posters with photos or illustrations, drawings on the chalkboard, graphs and tables, scale models, or even puppets. Teams can make a short video in the form of a newscast or documentary. Teams could also write a short skit in the form of a talk show about the topic and perform it for the class.
Bonus Worksheet: Have students solve the math word problems on the worksheet “America’s Power: It All Adds Up!” (PDF).
Answers to Bonus Worksheet: 1: 10,000 tons; 2: 281 miles; 3: 162 more surface mines; 270 total coal mines; Bonus question: Answers will vary.
ARTICLE
UNIT PLAN
