Forms of Energy Activities

This document includes the following:

Energy circle map

• I use this handout to introduce my lesson on energy. It is a great way to get your students to record their prior knowledge on energy. When I use this handout in my class, I time my students for 1 minute, and during that 1 minute they must write down all the words and phrases they can think of when they hear the word energy. Next, I have my students share their thinking with a partner. Then, I have each student share one thing that their partner said to the class. While they are sharing, I am creating a large circle map with their thinking on chart paper.

Energy: Fill in the letters (brainstorm)

• This is another handout to introduce your lesson on energy. You can use this handout the same way as I used the circle map handout. The students will write down all the words and phrases they can think of when they hear the word energy inside of the letters.

Energy: Fill in the letters (display)

• You can use this handout to close your lesson on energy. Have your students use their textbooks, notes, etc. to write or draw information about energy. Then display their artwork around your room.

Energy KWL chart

• This is helpful when activating and building schema with my students on energy. I use this chart as graphic means of establishing what students know, what they want to know, and what they have learned. This chart directs my students thinking and encourages them to ask questions and seek answers to their questions on energy.

Energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Electrical energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Mechanical energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Sound energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Kinetic energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Potential energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Light energy: Frayer graphic organizer

Thermal energy: Frayer graphic organizer

• I use these organizers with my students to help them learn new words and their meanings. This enables students to write their own definition of the word, draw a picture of the word, list examples of the word, and list non-examples of the word.

Types of energy flaps for an interactive notebook

Types of energy flaps for an interactive notebook: Answers

• Flaps includes: mechanical energy, electrical energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, sound energy, energy, light energy, heat energy

• I have my students cut out each flap and glue flaps into their interactive notebooks. Next, they write the definition of each term under each flap.

Potential and kinetic energy flaps for an interactive notebook

Potential and kinetic energy flaps for an interactive notebook: Answers

• I have my students cut out each flap and glue each into their interactive notebooks. Next, they cut to create 4 small flaps. Then, they write the definition of each term, draw a picture of each term, and write 2 examples of each term.

Potential and kinetic energy quick write

• This document includes 3 writing prompts per page. First, I cut out the prompts. Next, I have my student glue the writing prompt into their interactive notebooks. The prompt asks them to describe a time when they have experienced potential energy changing to kinetic energy. This prompt is a great way to start the discussion of kinetic and potential energy. Also, it allows your students to connect to real life experiences. I love listening to my student share their life experiences.

Potential and kinetic pocket short

• First, I have my students cut out each pocket. Next, I have my students glue each pocket into their interactive notebooks. These pockets will hold strips of paper that have examples of potential and kinetic energy on them.

Potential and kinetic pocket short stripes

• First, I have my students cut out each rectangle strip. Next, they must determine which strips are examples of potential energy, and which strips are examples of kinetic energy by sorting the strips into their correct pocket.

Potential and kinetic pocket short stripes: Answers

Potential and kinetic pocket short stripes: (blank)

• First, I have my students write 5 examples of potential energy and 5 examples of kinetic energy on the strips. Next, I have them cut out each strip along the bolded lines. Then, they must pair up with a classmate and have them determine which strips are examples of potential energy and which strips are examples of kinetic energy by placing the strips into the correct pocket

Forms of energy flap book

• I have my students cut out the flap book. Next, they fold the flap book in half and glue the back of the flap book into their interactive notebooks. Then, they cut along the bolded lines to make 5 flaps. Finally, they write the definition of each term under the flap.

Forms of energy flap book: Answers

Heat energy colored poster

Sound energy colored poster

Light energy colored poster

• This is a set of 3 colorful energy posters. Each poster has detailed information about the term. They also include a list of examples and pictures that match each example.

Word wall words (heat energy, sound energy, and light energy)

• This is a set of 3 colorful energy terms. Use these on a word wall or as the category names during an energy picture short.

Forms or energy: Chart poster (Color)

Forms or energy: Chart poster (In black and white)

• I created these “Forms of Energy” posters to help aide my students in understanding that there are many forms of energy that are used in various ways.

• On this chart I have included the following: 5 forms of energy (mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound), picture examples of each form of energy, explanations of each form of energy, and a list of how it is used/examples of objects.

Forms or energy: Chart that matches the poster (with forms of energy listed)

Forms or energy: Chart that matches the poster (without forms of energy listed)

• These handouts match the chart I have created for forms of energy. I like to have my students create their own chart. I have included two versions of this handout. One with the forms of energy listed and one without the forms of energy.

Forms of energy: MELTS poster (Color)

Forms of energy: MELTS poster (In black and white)

• The forms of energy posters go along with the acronym “MELTS”. Which stand for mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound energy.

Energy at home activity

• The students must list examples of objects that produce electrical, mechanical, and sound energy. This handout can be used in class or as a take home activity.

Energy at home room search: (color)

Energy at home room search: (black and white)

• Using a picture of a living room, the students must circle, box, and x off examples of electrical, light, and sound energy.

Energy at home room search: Answers (color)

Energy at home room search: Answers (black and white)

Energy assessment

• This assessment asks students to match the following words to their definition: energy, electrical energy, kinetic energy, heat energy, mechanical energy, potential energy, light energy, and sound energy. It also asks students to explain how potential energy changes to kinetic energy, and to list three objects that produce electrical, mechanical, and sound energy.

Energy assessment: Answers