Overview
In collaboration with NB Power, this kit provides three engaging, cross-curricular, and hands-on learning activities for K-2 educators to build energy literacy foundations and to explore the basic principles of energy in their primary classrooms. Learners will seek to answer: What Is Energy? How Do We Use Energy Every Day? and Are We Saving Energy or Are We Wasting Energy? A full kit with materials, are available for loan upon request, through the Centre of Excellence for Energy Lead, Warren Coombs at: Warren.Coombs@gnb.ca.
NB Curricular Outcomes
English Language Arts:
- Strand: Representations – Big Idea: Composition Skill Descriptor: Organize ideas and create written or media texts.
- Strand: Interactions – Big Idea: Exchanges – Skill Descriptor: Respond personally to presentations, oral stories, and multi-modal text.
Mathematics:
- Strand: Number – Big Idea: Number Sense – Skill Descriptor: Describe whole numbers.
Explore Your World:
- Strand: Play and Playfulness – Big Idea: Exploration and Problem-Solving – Skill Descriptor: Gather evidence to create and answer questions.
- Strand: Play and Playfulness – Big Idea: Play and Inquiry – Skill Descriptor: Ask questions of each other, tinker, wonder, and prompt new play.
- Strand: Well-Being – Big Idea: Belonging and Interconnectedness – Skill Descriptor: Examine how natural resources are connected to us and our environment.
Materials
- PowerPoint Presentations – What Is Energy?, How Do We Use Energy Every Day? and Are We Saving Energy? Are We Wasting Energy? (see attached)
- Mystery Bags (with Push-Back Car, Slinky, and Glowsticks)
- Read Alouds – Tap the Magic Tree, Energy Makes Things Happen, and Old Enough to Save the Planet
- Ice or snow (1 small piece)
- Newton’s Cradle
- Chart Paper (not included)
- Marker (not included)
- Community Energy Walk Bingo activity sheets (1 per small groups of 3-4)
- Clipboards
- Dry Erase Marker (1 per small groups of 3-4)
- Binoculars (1 per small group)
- Pencils (not provided)
- Post-It Notes (2 per learner)
- 6 Save/Waste Posters
- Energy Meter Readers
- Energy Cards (1 set per small groups of 3-4)
- Paper for Posters (not provided)
- Colouring Materials (not provided)
Instructions
1: What Is Energy?
Topic: Energy Fundamentals
Overview: The simplest definition of energy is “the ability to do work“. Energy is how things change and move. It’s everywhere around us and it takes on all sorts of forms. It takes energy to cook food, to drive to school, and to jump in the air. Learners will play and inquire this concept through mystery bags and discussion.
2: How Do We Use Energy Everyday?
Topic: Energy In Our Lives
Overview: Building on the energy foundations developed in lesson 1, learners will explore and discuss how we use energy at school, in the community, and at home through a Classroom Hunt and an Energy Community Walk BINGO activity.
3: Are We Saving Energy OR Are We Wasting Energy?
Topic: Personal Energy Consumption
Overview: Building on the two previous lessons on energy, learners will discuss how we can save energy and not waste it. Learners will utilize energy readers and discuss ways to limit our daily energy consumption for impactful living.
Please see attached PDF for full step-by-step instructions of each Learning Activity.
Extension Ideas
Share with others your NEW knowledge and energy experiences!
For example:
- Share energy saving tips on morning school announcements!
- Share posters and knowledge with a younger class.
- Ask permission to put your posters up around the school!
- Have an energy-savings day at your school.
- Have a lights-free hour built-in to your school day.
Acknowledgements
The materials provided were prepared in support and partnership with:
Kembubi Christie, NB Power, Human Resources Specialist: Learning and Change
Amy Tompkins, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development K-5 Learning Specialist for Centres of Excellence
New Brunswick Pilot Schools – Kelli Oulton – Townsview School, ASD-W and Chelsey Phillips – Townsview School, ASD-W
