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Summary and Objective
Students will develop a historical perception of energy consumption and understand that energy comes in many forms and some forms of energy from long ago are still used today.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Pre-activity/Discussing Energy: Explain to students that energy comes in many forms. Display a chart(see web link) of the energy we use (Renewable sources: solar, wind, geo- thermal, biomass (wood), and water. Non-renewable sources: nuclear, oil, coal, and natural gas. Secondary sources: electricity and hydrogen) Create a student-generated list of ways we use energy in our homes, schools, traveling and industry.
Step 2.
Lesson One: On index cards, write student answers to the question,"What energy sources did people of long ago use?" (Specify timeperiod appropriate for your classroom studies such as Colonial or New Nation. Refer to familiar classroom materials.) Place answers in their appropriate places on the timeline. (see timeline web link) Clarify that wood was the primary source for cooking, warmth and light until around 1885. Firewood was overwhelmingly the dominant energy source from the founding of the earliest colonies until late in the last century.
Step 3.
Lesson Two: Lead students in creating a group Venn Diagram of Now and Long Ago/What keeps us warm? Begin with "Now". With student input, list/draw clothing and heating sources. Include classroom thermostat.
Step 4.
Continue Venn Diagram with "Long Ago". With student input, list/draw clothing and heating sources. Share items connected to this activity. Discuss how they kept people warm. Compare bellows to thermostat.
Step 5.
Activity: Students will create individual Venn Diagrams demonstrating their understanding of Now and Long Ago/What keeps us warm. Refer to student generated lists. Circle the items used by both timeperiods (ie: fire). Demonstrate placing these items in the center of the Venn Diagram.
Step 6.
Gather students in circle/meeting area. Reaffirm that just as people have a history, we are learning that energy has a history. Pose questions such as, "Which energy sources used today do you think will go out of use, or become history, and why?" "Which sources do you think we might use for a very long time, and why?"
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