DAY 5: Should We Use Fossil Fuels or Renewable Energy Resources?
Objective:
Lesson Outline:
Objective:
- Answer the question, in at least four sentences with two supporting details, Should we continue to use fossil fuels or should we use renewable energy resources instead?
Lesson Outline:
- On Day 5, the focus will shift to renewable energy, and ways in which we can avoid climate change. The teacher will ask questions, such as: Does anyone know what a renewable energy source is? Can any of you tell me another source of energy besides fossil fuels? What about solar panels/wind turbines? Students will watch this video as an introduction to renewable energy and how it compares/contrasts fossil fuels.
- The teacher will outline each major renewable energy resource in a short powerpoint (solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal) and ask students to write down each one with a description in their science notebook.
- The teacher will then ask the class the following questions: How many of you think we should use fossil fuels? How many of you think we should switch to renewable energy? The teacher will then explain that the class will engage in a debate. After explaining the rules of a respectful, academic debate, the teacher will split the class into two groups, one which will argue for the continued usage of fossil fuels, and one which will argue for the implementation of renewable energy resources.
- Students will be use computers/tablets individually to begin researching their side of the debate. The following resources will be put in a Google doc for every student to access to conduct their research: resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, resource 4, resource 5, resource 6, resource 7. No other resources should be necessary. Students should not have any need to browse or use other websites.
- The teacher will tell each student to make two pro/con t-charts in their science notebook. One will list the pros and cons of fossil fuels, while the other t-chart will list the pros and cons of renewable energy. Students will be given approximately 20-30 minutes to conduct their research. Students will know they have done sufficient research if they have at least 4 pros and 4 cons for fossil fuels, as well as 4 cons and 4 pros for renewable energy.
- The teacher will moderate as the class separates into two sides of the room and begins the debate. Each side will get to make one comment at a time, with students taking turns raising their hands if/when they want to make a comment. Every student will be required to make at least one comment.
- After the debate ends, students will reflect on the above question (Should we continue to use fossil fuels or should we use renewable energy resources instead?) and write about which side they were on in the debate, and whether they decided to switch sides or if their opinion stayed the same. Students will be asked to write at least four sentences in responding to the question, using at least two pieces of support from the debate or their research as to why they think fossil fuels or renewable energy resources should be used. The reflection will be written in their science notebooks.
- Below is a complete, downloadable lesson plan for this day of the unit, Day 5.
lessonplanfordigitalartifact.docx | |
File Size: | 9 kb |
File Type: | docx |