Environmental Science Activities Manual: K-2

Environmental Science Environmental Education H5.00
Unifying Concepts of Science Conservation 2.6 a

CURRICULAR CORRELATIONS

GRADE: ESAM: K-2

CONTENT STANDARD: Environmental Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Environmental Education

CONCEPT: Energy exits in many types and must be conserved.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: H5.00 To understand the importance of conserving energy

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

    5.01 identify examples of wasteful energy use.
    5.02 define conservation.
    5.03 discuss ways of conserving energy.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT:
    I. Reasons to conserve energy
    II. Ways to conserve energy

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Unifying Concepts of Science

TN GOAL:

    To enable students to acquire scientific knowledge by applying concepts, theories, principles and laws from life/environmental, physical, and earth/space science.
TN THEME:
    2.6 CONSERVATION - In any natural process the form may change, but nothing is lost.
TN STANDARD(S): The learner will understand that:
    2.6a Although there can be transformations of matter and energy in changes, the sum of matter and energy is conserved.

    BENCHMARK: When taken in parts, the parts of the whole still equal the mass of the original object.

CLASSROOM CONNECTORS

TIME REQUIRED:

    Several class periods with activities
MATERIALS:
    Pictures depicting waste and conservation of energy; list of household electrical items
SET:
    Raise you hand if you always turn off the light when you leave your bedroom or bathroom at home. (response) Raise your hand if you do not turn out the lights. (response) In this lesson, we are going to look at ways we waste our energy resources and learn ways to use our resources more carefully.
INSTRUCTION:
    Sometimes we do not use energy wisely at school and at home. Some examples of WASTED energy would be: unnecessary use of cars, TV, radio, motorcycles, use of too much hot water, leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms, keeping thermostats at extremes, and standing with refrigerator open. (Discuss with students)

    When we carefully use our resources, so they will be available later, we call it CONSERVATION. Conserve means to save energy. (Brainstorm ways to conserve energy in the situations discussed above.)

    Conserving does not mean you have to do without comfort and convenience. You just need to be careful so energy is not wasted. (Examples: leaving front door open while electric heat is on during cold weather.)

    Examples of ways to conserve energy:

    1. Turn off lights or heaters in unoccupied rooms.

    2. Turn out yard light during daylight hours.

    3. Do not leave water running while brushing your teeth.

    4. Close doors tightly.

    5. Open and close refrigerators and freezers quickly.

    6. Check for dripping faucets.

    7. Take showers instead of baths.

    8. Do not leave any appliances running when they are not in use.

    9. Use lower wattage light bulbs in fixtures.

SUPERVISED PRACTICE:
    (Divide class into groups with 2 - 4 students. Give the students a list of 36 items (ex: TV, coffee pot, dishwasher, electric clock, hair dryer, phone, refrigerator, toaster, can opener, fan, vacuum cleaner, stereo, computer, VCR, iron, electric blanket, washer/dryer, etc.) that are found in our homes and which use electricity. Tell them that they are going to pretend that because of an energy shortage, they have to pick only twelve items which they will be allowed to own. (Give groups time to RANK choices. Discuss each groups choices and reasons for making those particular choices.)
CLOSURE:
    Today, we have learned ways that energy is wasted and can be conserved. When I hold up a picture, tell me if energy is being conserved or wasted. (Have students do sign language {hand} to make W or C)

    Show three or four pictures.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE:
    With the help of your family, list all the electrical appliances in your home, number them in the order of their importance to you, put an X through each appliance you could do without and still have a good life!
ENRICHMENT:
    (The following activities are suggested:

    1. Invite a guest speaker from a local utility system to class.

    2. Investigate life in the 1800's concerning energy use. Compare with life today.

    3. Interview someone who is old enough to remember what life was like before high technology! Visit a Senior Citizen Center.

    4. Learn to read an electric meter.

    5. For a period of one week, keep a daily log of ways you helped to conserve energy at home.)

This is the time this file has been accessed since 03/01/2004.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

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