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Energy Monitor Activity

for Grades K-2

Do some detective work in your classroom or at home to discover how your classmates and family can save energy.

At school:

• Introduce saving energy with a book such as My Big Green Teacher: Conserving Our Energy by Michelle Glennon. Discuss with students how a little effort on their part can make a big difference in conserving energy usage.
• List, on a large sheet a paper or on the board, things in the classroom/school that use energy.
• In partners or small groups have students divide up the list and brainstorm, using KidspirationTM or other webbing software, ideas of how class or school members can conserve their energy usage. (Collaboration, Tools / NETS 1, 2,4))
• Use students’ energy conservation ideas and art supplies or drawing software such as PaintTM or Kid PixTM to make signs/posters reminding everyone how to conserve. For example, Turn off the lights when leaving the classroom!, near classroom light switches. (Drawing / NETS 1, 2,4)

At home:

• Talk with your family about their energy usage. Using a word processor or art supplies, make energy saving reminder signs that can be placed in key areas of the home. For example; Turn Me Off! on a light switch or Close Me! on the refrigerator door. (Word processing, Drawing /NETS 1, 2,4)

Some additional resources for energy conservation lesson ideas:

• NEED: the National Energy Education and Development Project - primary classroom worksheet, info books and curriculum guides.
• Energy Information Administration Kid’s Page - includes activities, teacher’s guide and games
• Generation Green, by British Gas - activities, skits and lesson plans. Science: Standard 2: Scientific Thinking

Indiana Learning Standards:

English/Language Arts

• Standard 2: Reading and Analysis of Nonfiction and Informational Text
• Standard 7: Listening and Speaking: Skills, Strategies, and Applications

Science

• Standard 2: Scientific Thinking

This "Go Green" resource was developed by Buddy for an eco-education initiative, "Green Connections: Learning and Living." This initiative will run from February 1 through Earth Day on April 22, 2009.

This resource appeared in the ETC...and More! volume 2, number 5 newsletter and is published by the Buddy Project (Corporation for Educational Technology), in collaboration with the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC), Indiana Computer Educators (ICE), the Indiana Department of Education, and Promoting Achievement through Technology and INstruction for all Students (PATINS).