Prior Learning

Prior learning activities enable students to value what they already know about a topic. While they establish what students already know, they also help the teacher to identify some of their misconceptions. Prior learning activities can be used as the start of the assessment process.

  1. Year 1 & 2 Energy Powerpoint
    Year 1 & 2 Energy Powerpoint
  2. What do we need electricity for at home and at school?
    What do we need electricity for at home and at school?

Tuning in

A tuning in activity helps students to define and focus on the issues they will be dealing with in the unit of work.

  1. Snappy Science – Light up the room with your hair!
    Snappy Science – Light up the room with your hair!
  2. Snappy Science – Which colours are hotter?
    Snappy Science – Which colours are hotter?
  3. Snappy Science – Water power
    Snappy Science – Water power
  4. Snappy Science – Bend water with static electricity
    Snappy Science – Bend water with static electricity
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  9. Snappy Science – Be a snake charmer
    Snappy Science – Be a snake charmer
  10. Snappy Science – Static electricity can race
    Snappy Science – Static electricity can race
  11. Snappy Science – Make a compass
    Snappy Science – Make a compass
  12. Snappy Science – Make an electromagnet
    Snappy Science – Make an electromagnet
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  17. E is for Energy
    E is for Energy

Finding Out

Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.

  1. Switch to Save – Lighting Audit – Foundation and Year 1 & 2
    Switch to Save – Lighting Audit – Foundation and Year 1 & 2
  2. Make a Solar Oven
    Make a Solar Oven
  3. Electricity Tour
    Electricity Tour
  4. Water Wheel
    Water Wheel
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  9. Create an Energy Saving Alphabet
    Create an Energy Saving Alphabet
  10. What type of energy is best for your school?
    What type of energy is best for your school?
  11. Wind Farming
    Wind Farming
  12. Turn it off
    Turn it off
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  17. What energy do you use at home and at school?
    What energy do you use at home and at school?
  18. All lit up!
    All lit up!
  19. My class rules
    My class rules
  20. My home rules
    My home rules
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  25. Let’s save energy
    Let’s save energy

Drawing Conclusions

Students are provided with activities that help them further develop their ideas and opinions. T hey describe issues from different perspectives. They identify, examine and justify different points of view.

  1. I need electricity for…
    I need electricity for…

Considering Social Action

Students are given opportunities to apply their learning in real world situations, in the classroom, school, home or the local community.

  1. Don’t waste energy poster
    Don’t waste energy poster
  2. Classroom energy reduction plan
    Classroom energy reduction plan
  3. Make a book about energy reduction
    Make a book about energy reduction

Assessment and Reflection

Reflection time provides students with an opportunity to value what they have learnt and the learning processes in which they have been involved. Evaluation or assessment tasks during the unit of work will need to conclude.

  1. Sample Rubric
    Sample Rubric