Lesson 2: Mapping Electricity
Guide your students on a tour across the country as they practice their Internet research and map-reading skills to discover the different sources of energy used to create electricity in different states.
OBJECTIVE
Geography–understand the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies; Language Arts–gather and use information for research purposes
Time Required: One 40-minute class period
MATERIALS
Mini Map "The United States of Energy" (PDF); Worksheet 2: “Mapping Electricity” (PDF)
DIRECTIONS
1. Explain to students that different states use different sources of energy to create electricity.
2. Invite students to study the mini map "The United States of Energy" (PDF).
3. Working in teams (these could be the same teams as assigned in Lesson 1), guide students to study the map and choose five states to research. Tell them to write down the top sources of energy that each state uses to generate electricity. Encourage each group to focus on a different region of the nation.
4. Once they are finished, ask each group to share the top energy sources for their key states. Keep a running list on the board, if possible, with the region and state’s top source with the region. Discuss which source seems most common and why they think that source is used more often than others.
5. Distribute copies of Worksheet 2 (PDF) and guide students in completing the questions. Allow students to use the map on the poster and remind them to use their map-reading skills. Point out the map legend and its list of symbols.
Worksheet 2 Answers: 1. coal. 2. AL, CO, IL, IN, KY, MT, ND, NM, OH, PA, TX, UT, VA, WV, WY. 3. Answers will vary. 4. Mojave Desert, CA. 5. dam. 6. Answers will vary.
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
