Begin with a bell ringer, followed by the video and quiz. Assign the Energy Around Us activity to students.
Upper Elementary Alignment Guide
Summary
This guide offers a collection of upper elementary general science lessons and activities for teachers. The curated resources cover foundational concepts in energy, electricity, and the environment through a variety of engaging formats. From hands-on labs like the Play-Doh Circuits Lab and the Energy Impact Dice Game to video-based lessons with cloze notes and data analysis, the guide provides practical, ready-to-use materials designed to save teachers time and make science exciting for young learners.
Resources
Introduction to Electricity
Watch the video as a group, followed by the quiz. Complete the Play-Doh Electric Circuits Lab with students..
Understanding Energy Transformations
Assign student reading & challenge questions. Then, review the slide deck.
Introduction to Energy Storage
Begin with a bell ringer, introduce/review vocab, and complete the data set with students.
Introduction to Coal
Watch the video as a group and review vocab. Complete the Power Generation Simulation.
Introduction to Natural Gas
Use the bell ringer and discuss vocab, review data sets with the whole group, then have students complete questions on their own. Optional exit ticket and hands-on activity.
Introduction to Oil
Use the bell ringer, vocab, and data set to kick this lesson off. Use the Transportation Trade-Off Hands-On activity for an optional extension!
Introduction to Nuclear
Show the video and assign the cloze notes. Discuss the data set and assign student groups to complete the Nuclear Reaction in a Box.
Introduction to Geothermal
Watch the video and listen for vocab terms. Assign the quiz and cloze notes, then have students complete the lab activity in groups, ending with the exit ticket.
Introduction to Wind
Assign the video, data set, and synthesis activities to complete in pairs.
Introduction to Hydropower
Watch the video and listen for vocab terms. Assign the quiz and cloze notes, then have students complete the lab activity in groups.
Introduction to Solar
Begin with the bell ringer, watch the video with cloze notes, and use the data set to get students thinking about solar. Wrap-up with the exit ticket.
Introduction to Energy Choices
Begin with a bell ringer, then watch the video and complete the cloze notes. Assign student groups to complete the Power Card Priorities activity.
Introduction to Environmental Impacts
Review vocabulary and watch the video. Assign student groups to play the Energy Impact Dice Game.
Saving Energy, Saving Water
Discuss what water conservation would look like, brainstorm ways to save water, and develop a plan for water conservation at home.
Developing Media Literacy - Mini-Unit
Introduce students to the fundamentals of media literacy through the lens of researching energy topics.