Energy
The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution
LESSON PLAN – KS2: Duelling
fuels!
Fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
SUGGESTED TIME:
Age group
45-60 MINS
No. of pupils in cohort
Classroom support
(to be completed by teachers)
This lesson looks at alternatives to fossil fuels and delivers the argument on whether we
should look at renewable energy as our main source of power.
Learning
objectives
To know how energy is generated and the potential problems this may cause.
To learn about renewable sources of energy (wind and solar), and why this type of energy is important
for our future.
To carry out an investigation using renewable energy.
Success
criteria
I know where energy comes from and the damage it is doing to our planet.
I can identify a source of renewable energy and say how it works.
I can carry out an investigation using renewable energy.
Curriculum links
England
En1: Speaking and listening
To speak clearly, fluently and confidently to different people, pupils should be taught to: c – organise
what they say; d – focus on the main point(s); e – include relevant detail; f – take into account the
needs of their listeners. 2: To listen, understand and respond to others, pupils should be taught to: a –
sustain concentration; b – remember specific points that interest them 3: To join in as members of a
group, pupils should be taught to: a – take turns in speaking. 10: The range of purposes should
include: a – making plans and investigating; b – sharing ideas and experiences.
Science Sc4
Electricity 1: About everyday appliances that use electricity: b – about simple series circuits involving
batteries, wires, bulbs and other components.
Geography 1
d – Identify and explain different views that people, including themselves, hold about topical
geographical issues; e – communicate in ways appropriate to the task and audience.
5: Knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development: a – recognise
how people can improve the environment or damage it, and how decisions about places and
environments affect the future quality of people's lives; b – recognise how and why people may seek to
manage environments sustainably, and to identify opportunities for their own involvement.
www.greenschools.coop
Energy
The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution
LESSON PLAN – KS2: Duelling
fuels!
Fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
Curriculum links
continued
England
D&T2
b – Suggest alternative ways of making their product, if first attempts fail; d – measure, mark out, cut
and shape a range of materials and assemble, join and combine components and materials accurately.
PSHE
1c – to face new challenges positively by collecting information, looking for help, making responsible
choices, and taking action; 2a – to research, discuss and debate topical issues, problems and events;
j – that resources can be allocated in different ways and that these economic choices affect individuals,
communities and the sustainability of the environment.
Scotland
Topical science
By considering current issues of science, learners increasingly develop their understanding of scientific
concepts and their capacity to form informed social, moral and ethical views.
Wales
PSE
Learners should be given opportunities to promote their health and emotional well-being and moral and
spiritual development; to become active citizens and promote sustainable development and global
citizenship; and to prepare for lifelong learning.
Northern Ireland
The world around us: change over time
How change is a feature of the human and natural world and may have consequences for our lives and
for the world around us.
Ways in which change occurs over both short and long periods of time in the physical and natural world.
The effects of positive and negative changes globally and how we contribute to some of these changes.
www.greenschools.coop
Energy
The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution
LESSON PLAN – KS2: Duelling
fuels!
Fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
Resources
Solar-powered calculator
Art materials to create a poster
For information on wind turbines: http://on.coop/merchantwind
For information on The Co-operative solar tower: http://on.coop/solartower
Making a wind turbine:
Cardboard,
Pencils
Tape
Hairdryer
String
Scissors
Computer with internet access
Printer
Hole punch
Straw
Ruler or soft measuring tape
Marker pen
An example of how to make a wind turbine can be found at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7796009_make-wind-turbine-children.html
Making a solar panel:
Circuits
Batteries
LED bulb
Solar panels
An example of how to make a solar panel can be found at:
http://www.solarpowerwindenergy.org/2009/04/26/how-to-build-a-small-solar-circuit-wiring-diagrams
Teaching activities
Introduction (WALT)
using appropriate
pupil language.
www.greenschools.coop
Recap on children’s knowledge on fossil fuel. Explain that the energy we use in our homes, school and
transport comes from burning fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas. These were formed millions of years ago
and are buried deep in the ground. Explain that 80% of the UK’s energy comes from burning fossil
fuels, which is causing the Greenhouse effect and which will eventually cause fossil fuels to run out.
Energy
The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution
LESSON PLAN – KS2: Duelling
fuels!
Fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
Development
Independent, paired and
group activity
Differentiated
activities
SEN/G&T
Introduce the concept of renewable energy. Can the children name the different types of renewable
energy? There are several types of renewable energy, but today the children will just be looking at solar
and wind power.
Wind power has been used throughout history to power sailboats, mill grain for flour etc and it’s seen
as one of the renewable energy sources now available. Show The Co-operative wind turbine images.
Children partner up to discuss how they work. How does wind energy compare to the energy produced
by fossil fuels?
Have the children seen a solar panel before? Show solar-powered calculator. Demonstrate how it works
by covering the panel. Ask the children what the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power
are. Again, they should discuss with their talk partners.
In mixed-ability pairs, challenge children to make their own renewable energy by building a wind
turbine. They should be creative and try to reduce excessive waste of resources.
Alternatively, pupils can make a solar panel. Recap on how to do it by making a circuit using a battery.
Remind the children about its positive and negative ends. Demonstrate making a simple circuit and
recap drawing with symbols. Discuss safety for electricity.
Show pupils the small solar panels and challenge them to build a circuit using solar panels instead of
the battery to power the light bulb. Give the children the opportunity to test it outside in sunlight or
underneath a lamp.
SEN: Pupils make a PowerPoint presentation, with adult support, which clearly shows the advantages
and disadvantages of fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
Plenary
Can children explain how their device works and how renewable energy is used?
Show PowerPoint presentation. Can the children think of any more valuable arguments to include?
List answers on the board.
AfL assessment
opportunities
(WILF)
Can children say where energy comes from?
Are they able to say why our reliance on fossil fuels is damaging the planet?
Can children name a source of renewable energy and say how it works?
www.greenschools.coop
Energy
Saving Water
The Co-operative’s Green Schools Revolution
LESSON PLAN – KS2: Duelling
fuels!
Fossil fuels versus renewable energy.
Extension/
homework
Provide children with art materials to create posters which deliver a message for or against fossil fuels
or renewable energy.
Follow-up
lessons
Explain that gas and electricity prices are constantly rising and many people cannot afford to use
fossil fuels to heat their homes. Ask: How can we make renewable energy more accessible to homes?
Use the class notice board.
Design a school or home which only uses renewable sources of energy and label the design features.
Create a display and provide a comment box for children/teachers to write feedback.
Visit The Co-operative wind farm or a wind farm near you. See school trips at www.greenschools.coop.
More teaching resources on renewable energy (Energy Works) are available at www.greenschools.coop
Whole-school
activity
Set up a Green Schools Revolution committee in your school and look at ways in which you can save energy.
Conduct an Energy Audit – see how at www.greenschools.coop
Create a campaign to reduce energy and water consumption in your school.
Don’t forget to enter the Green Schools Revolution national multimedia competition
(see www.greenschools.coop) to show how your school is becoming more sustainable.
www.greenschools.coop