- Category:
Energy Efficiency - Published:
April 17, 2020 - Updated:
March 28, 2022
Lesson Plan: Energy Conservation at Home
This lesson aims to introduce students to energy saving behaviors and why it is important to save or conserve energy. Energy conservation is the decision and practice of using less energy. Energy conservation can be easy to start, because its based on our decisions and behaviors. Students will first become acquainted with all the ways in which they use energy each day at home, at school, and on the road. Students will then take a survey of their energy behaviors and decisions and look for ways they can try to practice energy conservation as a household.
For each suggested grade band, you’ll see some quick text for reading as well as a worksheet or link to interactive worksheets. For all four grade bands, there will be one challenge/hands-on activity to complete that supports the theme of the content. These hands-on pieces can absolutely be completed as a family or with multiple students of various grades. We also have listed links to additional content. If your student is advanced, or needs more support, feel free to scale up or down within the levels, or encourage them to complete multiple activities from the different levels.
Looking for more home energy activities? We’re pleased to be working with The National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), to deliver these fun activities. Be sure to check out their library of resources, and their specialized collection of energy-themed distance/at-home learning activities. All activities are totally free for use at home or school, and accessible by visiting their website, www.NEED.org.
- Background reading: Primary Energy Infobook – Saving Energy
*Primary reading is structured with the student reader page first, and the teacher/adult page second. Younger or less advanced readers can read along with the student pages, and the teacher pages may be read aloud to them. Advanced readers may be able to read most on their own.
- Printable Coloring Sheets:
- Background reading: Elementary Energy Infobook – Saving Energy
- Printable Worksheet: Saving Energy Selfie *no social media account required
- Background reading: Intermediate Energy Infobook – Saving Energy
- Printable worksheet: 4Rs Barista Cup Art Challenge
- Background reading: Secondary Energy Infobook – Efficiency and Conservation
- Printable Worksheet: Insta Energy *Instagram post/account optional
- Energy Conservation Contract has students working with the members of their household to survey and rate their energy-using behaviors. The activity encourages the family or household to gather qualitative and some quantitative data from their surveys and ratings to then develop a contract of energy-saving behaviors they will act upon. Then, conduct the ratings survey again. Can the students and their household identify some savings?
Additional support links:
- https://switchon.org/ (Free signup for all video clips)
- https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/
- https://www.eia.gov/kids/
Spring Lesson Plans:
- Lesson Plan 1: Energy Basics and Energy Sources
- Lesson Plan 2: Electricity and Electricity Generation
- Lesson Plan 4: Wind and Natural Gas
- Lesson Plan 5: Solar Energy
- Lesson Plan 6: Understanding Your Electricity Bill
- Lesson Plan 7: Measuring Your Electricity Consumption
- Lesson Plan 8: Lighting and Appliances
Fall Lesson Plans:
- Lesson Plan 1: Biomass
- Lesson Plan 2: Hydropower
- Lesson Plan 3: Water Conservation
- Lesson Plan 4: Climate Change and Energy Conservation
- Lesson Plan 5: Heating and Cooling
