Lessons and Activities for 5th Grade
(all lessons are optional, choose what works best for you and your students)
Lesson 1:
Launch
(1 hour)
Summary
Students are informed of their roles as “Energy Detectives,” why conserving energy is important, and the activities they have to look forward to.
- Relevant Frameworks: 5-ESS3-1, W5.1, SL5.1, L5.1, L5.2, L5.3, L5.6, SS & STE practices
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Lesson 2:
Background Knowledge
(1 1/2 hours)
Summary
Students participate in vocabulary-building activities and learn about natural resources.
- Relevant Frameworks: 5-ESS3-1, SL5.1, SL5.4, L5.4, STE practices
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Lesson 3:
Story Time
(1 hour)
Summary
The class reads The Energy Detectives: The Mystery of the Snow, and students engage in corresponding literacy activities.
- Relevant Frameworks: 5-ESS3-1, RI5.1, RI5.3, L5.4, ELA & STE practices
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Lesson 4:
Energy Conservation
(1 1/2 hours)
Summary
Students review important concepts pertaining to energy conservation.
- Relevant Frameworks: 5-ESS3-1, SL5.1, SS & STE practices
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Lesson 5:
Guest Speaker
(1 1/2 hours)
Summary
The teacher invites a community member to speak about energy conservation.
Relevant Frameworks
5-ESS3-1, SS, STE & ELA practices
Lesson 6:
Energy Conservation Projects
(3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours)
Summary
Students create energy conservation informational products to educate members of their community.
Relevant Frameworks
3-5-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 5.3-5-ETS3-1(MA), RI5.2, RI5.4, RI5.7, RI5.8, RI5.9, RI5.10, RF5.4, W5.1, W5.2, W5.4, W5.5, W5.6, W5.7, W5.8, W5.9, SL5.1, SL5.2, L5.1, L5.2, L5.3, L5.6
Lesson 7:
Presentation & Reflections
(1 hour)
Summary
Students present their energy conservation informational materials to a live audience. They then reflect on the curriculum and what they learned.
Relevant Frameworks
5-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 5.3-5-ETS3-1(MA, RI5.9, SL5.2, SL5.4, SL5.5, L5.1, L5.3, L5.6, SS, ELA & STE practices
Lesson 8:
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Summary
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Relevant Frameworks
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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.