Summary of Lessons for 2nd and 3rd Grades
Download Full Curriculum | National Standards Correlations - The Case of the Hidden Helpers
Lesson 1:
Launch
(1 hour)
Summary
Students preview key vocabulary and participate in an interactive read-aloud of The Energy Detectives: The Case of the Hidden Helpers. They identify ways people help the Earth through key details and discussion.
Lesson 2:
Understanding Problems & Solutions
(1 hour)
Summary
Students revisit the text to sort and discuss environmental problems and solutions (e.g., floods, fossil fuels vs. composting, renewable energy), and identify how “hidden helpers” take action to help the Earth.
Lesson 3:
Climate Action Messages
(1 hour)
Summary
Students create simple informational products (poster, booklet page, or speech) that explain one way people can help the Earth, using evidence from the text and academic vocabulary.
Lesson 4:
Share & Reflect
(1 hour)
Summary
Students present their informational products. They reflect on how people can help the Earth and what actions they can take in their own lives.
Extension:
Earth Helpers Research
(1 hour)
Summary
Students engage in a structured research experience to learn more about how people help the Earth. Using teacher-provided texts, images, and media, students gather simple facts about environmental solutions such as composting, renewable energy, recycling, and conserving resources. They share their new learning through drawings and sentences.
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Rationale
Heating and cooling of buildings is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities and towns. Burning of fossil fuels for energy results in high costs to residents as well as pollution that leads to environmental and health concerns.
Illnesses associated with fossil fuel pollution include chronic cough, asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. Energy efficiency measures can support good physical and mental health by creating healthier indoor living environments, which include improved air temperatures, noise levels, humidity levels and air quality.
The book Energy Detectives was written by Madelyn Rosenberg, illustrated by Paul Meisel, and funded by Cooler Communities to help children better understand how to conserve energy at home. Our hope is that educators will read the book with students in the classroom and incorporate some or all of our accompanying solutions-based curriculum into their instruction.
Additionally, we hope children will learn to understand and advocate for changes to energy consumption in their communities. This starts with encouraging their adult family members to make changes to more efficiently insulate and power their homes.