Energy Superheros at Crow Agency Elementary

Teaching two classes at the Crow Agency Elementary School was wonderful. The first class was K-2nd grades and the second was 3rd-5th grades. We did an activity out of the Project Learning Tree lesson plan book called Energy Sleuths. The kids drew pictures of superheros and included in the picture where their superhero gets the energy to perform their super power. The kids were very creative. Then we looked through their pictures writing down a list of actual energy sources, whether they are renewable or non-renewable and whether they pollute or don't pollute. For the younger group we stopped there, concluding with a question: Which of the energy sources would be a good idea to use and why? Most of the kindergarteners even got it, naming the energy sources that were renewable and non-polluting as the best to use.


For the older crew we went a step further, and had them break into "expert" groups. We gave each group some background information to read on one energy source. They recorded three facts about their energy and wrote at the top of the page weather it is renewable or non-renewable and weather or not it pollutes. Each group chose a spokesperson to present the facts they found about either coal, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass, hydro, natural gas, hydrogen, or ocean energy. We concluded in the same way as the earlier group, discussing which energy sources would be the best to use.
It was a refreshing experience interacting with children who are so open and joyful.