Lesson Plan
The Power That Surrounds Us Lesson Plan
Students will be able to define energy and identify various forms of energy in their everyday lives to understand its ubiquitous nature.
Understanding energy is crucial as it underpins all physical processes and technological advancements.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Through interactive discussion, visual aids, and a hands-on activity.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, What is Energy? Slides, Construction paper or poster board, Magazines or newspapers (for images), Scissors, Glue sticks, and Energy Around Us Collage Activity Guide
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the The Power That Surrounds Us Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Prepare the projector or whiteboard for the What is Energy? Slides.
- Gather construction paper, magazines, scissors, and glue for the Energy Around Us Collage Activity Guide.
Step 1
Engage & Inquire: What Powers Your Day?
10 minutes
- Begin with a warm-up discussion: "What makes things go? What do you use energy for every day?"
- Show the first few slides of What is Energy? Slides to spark curiosity.
- Facilitate a brief brainstorming session, noting student responses on the board.
Step 2
Explore & Discover: Forms of Energy
15 minutes
- Present the What is Energy? Slides focusing on different forms of energy (e.g., kinetic, potential, thermal, light, sound, electrical).
- Provide real-world examples for each form, encouraging students to share their own.
- Discuss how energy transforms from one form to another (e.g., electrical to light in a bulb).
Step 3
Explain & Define: Energy is Everywhere
10 minutes
- Lead a discussion to formally define energy as the ability to do work or cause change.
- Reinforce the concept that energy is constantly at work around us.
- Distribute the Energy Around Us Collage Activity Guide and explain the instructions.
Step 4
Apply & Extend: Energy Around Us Collage
10 minutes
- Students will create an Energy Around Us Collage Activity Guide individually or in small groups.
- Circulate to provide support and encourage students to identify diverse examples of energy.
- Conclude with a brief share-out, where students present one or two examples from their collages.
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Slide Deck
The Power That Surrounds Us
What is energy, and how does it make things happen?
Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the title 'The Power That Surrounds Us' and the big question: 'What is energy, and how does it make things happen?'. Encourage initial thoughts or guesses, but don't correct them yet.
What is Energy?
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change.
- Work: Moving an object against a force.
- Change: Transforming something (like heating water or producing light).
Formally define energy. Emphasize that energy isn't something you 'see' directly, but rather its effects. Give simple examples like pushing a cart (doing work) or heating water (causing change).
Energy: Many Forms, One Idea
Energy isn't just one thing! It shows up in many different ways.
Think about what makes a car move, a light bulb glow, or your voice heard.
Introduce the idea that energy comes in different forms. Explain that these forms are just different ways energy shows up or is stored. Ask students to think about different ways they see 'power' in action around them.
Kinetic Energy: Energy of Motion
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving.
- A running person
- A rolling ball
- Wind blowing
Explain Kinetic Energy. Use clear, relatable examples like a moving car or a running person. Ask students for other examples of things in motion.
Potential Energy: Stored Energy
Potential energy is stored energy, ready to be used.
- A stretched rubber band
- Water behind a dam
- A book held above the ground
Explain Potential Energy. Contrast it with kinetic energy by focusing on 'stored' energy. Use examples like a stretched rubber band or water behind a dam.
Thermal Energy: Heat
Thermal energy is the energy of heat.
- A hot stove
- Sunlight warming your skin
- Boiling water
Introduce thermal energy. Explain it's related to heat. Give examples like a warm cup of coffee or the sun's warmth. Ask students how thermal energy is used at home.
Light Energy: What We See
Light energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation that we can see.
- Light bulbs
- The sun
- Glow sticks
Explain light energy. Focus on how we see things and how light travels. Give examples like light bulbs or fireflies. Ask about sources of light in the classroom.
Sound Energy: What We Hear
Sound energy is produced by vibrations that travel through a medium.
- Music playing
- Someone talking
- A ringing bell
Describe sound energy. Explain it's caused by vibrations. Give examples like music or a vibrating phone. Ask students to make a sound and describe the vibrations.
Electrical Energy: Powering Our World
Electrical energy is caused by the movement of electric charges.
- Charging a phone
- Turning on a light
- Running a computer
Discuss electrical energy. Highlight its importance in modern life. Give examples like charging a phone or running appliances. Ask students to list things that use electricity.
Energy is Everywhere!
From the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, energy is at work all around you, in many different forms!
Summarize the different forms of energy and reinforce the idea that energy is all around us and constantly transforming. Prepare to transition to the collage activity.
Activity
Energy Around Us Collage
Objective
To identify and represent various forms of energy present in your daily life through a visual collage.
Materials
- Construction paper or poster board
- Magazines, newspapers, or printed images
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Markers or colored pencils
Instructions
- Brainstorm (5 minutes): Take a few minutes to think about all the ways you encounter energy in your daily life. Consider everything from waking up, to eating, going to school, playing, and going to sleep. What forms of energy are involved?
- Gather Images (15 minutes): Look through magazines, newspapers, or any provided printed images. Find pictures that represent different forms of energy (kinetic, potential, thermal, light, sound, electrical) you see in your everyday world. You can also draw pictures if you can't find suitable images.
- Tip: Try to find at least one image for each energy form discussed in class.
- Create Your Collage (15 minutes): Cut out your chosen images and arrange them creatively on your construction paper or poster board. Glue them down once you are happy with the arrangement.
- Label and Explain (5 minutes): For each image, use a marker or colored pencil to:
- Label the form of energy it represents (e.g., "Kinetic Energy", "Light Energy").
- Write a very brief explanation of why it represents that form of energy.
Reflection / Share Out (Optional)
Be ready to share your collage with the class and explain some of the energy forms you identified!
Activity
Energy Around Us Collage
Objective
To identify and represent various forms of energy present in your daily life through a visual collage.
Materials
- Construction paper or poster board
- Magazines, newspapers, or printed images
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Markers or colored pencils
Instructions
- Brainstorm (5 minutes): Take a few minutes to think about all the ways you encounter energy in your daily life. Consider everything from waking up, to eating, going to school, playing, and going to sleep. What forms of energy are involved?
- Gather Images (15 minutes): Look through magazines, newspapers, or any provided printed images. Find pictures that represent different forms of energy (kinetic, potential, thermal, light, sound, electrical) you see in your everyday world. You can also draw pictures if you can't find suitable images.
- Tip: Try to find at least one image for each energy form discussed in class.
- Create Your Collage (15 minutes): Cut out your chosen images and arrange them creatively on your construction paper or poster board. Glue them down once you are happy with the arrangement.
- Label and Explain (5 minutes): For each image, use a marker or colored pencil to:
- Label the form of energy it represents (e.g., "Kinetic Energy", "Light Energy").
- Write a very brief explanation of why it represents that form of energy.
Reflection / Share Out (Optional)
Be ready to share your collage with the class and explain some of the energy forms you identified!