Teacher/Educator Worksheet - Conserving Energy

Ages - 0 to 2

What to do:

Preparation: Gather rechargeable batteries and charger; torches; battery-operated toy / light / radio / lightbox or other appliance. Make sure all batteries are kept well out of reach of children and they are not able to remove them.

Set up a range of objects that require batteries to operate. Let the children play with them and notice how long they last. Recharge the batteries and explain that they have to wait for the batteries to charge before the objects will work again.

Alternatively, you could also use wind up objects (toys, torches or music boxes for example); and explain that you need to give your energy to the object before it will work again and that the energy runs out.

Make your own lightbox and explore different materials, textures, patterns, colours and shadows.

Provocations:

I wonder why the object stopped working?
I wonder what we could do to make the energy last longer?
I wonder how long it will take for the batteries to charge up again / to wind it up?
I wonder which object will keep working the longest?
I wonder why the energy of that object lasted longer than the other?
I wonder where the energy comes from?
Could we use this object a different way that doesn’t need batteries?
I wonder what happens when the batteries are charged up?
How will we know when the batteries are charged again?

Possible lines of development:

Different types of energy (heat and light) - Energy flashcards.
Model energy-efficient behaviours (turn off lights; taps; wear weather appropriate clothing inside and out; hang out washing on the clothesline).
Provide opportunities for children to follow your example (energy-efficient appliances in the home corner, prompting stickers on light switches, etc.).
Have blankets available for children so that they are able to take responsibility for their own comfort.
Notice different weather conditions and temperatures and discuss ways of keeping cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold that do not need energy (e.g. wearing extra layers of clothes; playing in the shade; keeping doors, windows and curtains closed, etc.)

Ages - 2 to 3

What to do:

Preparation: Download and print the Rug up in winter flashcards (or make your own using pictures of all things in your centre that use electricity and attach it to a clipboard for children to check off, or you could do a brainstorm session on a large piece of paper, whiteboard or create a mind map).

Have a look around your centre and look for things that use energy, think about what sort of energy they use (heat, light, movement, etc.).

Discuss ways of doing things or using things differently which means they might not need as much energy. For example, turn lights off when we go outside, or when there is enough natural light; hang out the washing with the children rather than put it in the drier; turning appliances off at the power point, walk or cycle to the centre; or wear appropriate clothes for the weather.

Consider an energy challenge – turn something extra off each day for a week.

Day 1: CD Players
Day 2: Lights (try torches or candles)
Day 3: Drier (hang washing out on the line or clothes horses)
Day 4: Heating / cooling (bring extra blankets or sleeping bags if it’s cool, make some cosy cubby houses)
Day 5: Stove (try cooking over a campfire or BBQ outside)

Provocations:

I wonder what we can find that uses energy?
I wonder where the energy comes from?
I wonder if there is anything we could do differently so we use less energy?
I wonder what you could do to help save energy at home?
I wonder what makes different sorts of energy (electricity, gas, petrol, sunshine, muscles, food)?

Possible lines of development:

Food as energy.
Circuits and batteries (make a battery using lemons).
Types of light (sunlight, moonlight, firelight, etc) - Energy flashcards.
Conservation of other natural resources.
Provide opportunities for children to follow your example (energy-efficient appliances in the home corner, prompting stickers on light switches, etc.).
Monitoring of energy use for the service.
Make your own light box.

Ages - 3 to 5

What to do:

Preparation: Print and download the Rug up in winter flashcards to use as prompts; check with your local Council’s environment team, or even the local library and see if you can borrow a Power Mate (or another device that measures the energy used by individual appliances).

Have a look around your centre and look for things that use energy, think about what sort of energy they use (heat, light, movement, etc.).

Discuss ways of doing things or using things differently which means they might not need as much energy. For example, turn lights off when we go outside, or when there is enough natural light; hang out the washing with the children rather than put it in the drier; turning appliances off at the power point, walk or cycle to the centre; or wear appropriate clothes for the weather.

Consider an energy challenge – turn something extra off each day for a week.

Day 1: CD Players
Day 2: Lights (try torches or candles)
Day 3: Drier (hang washing out on the line or clothes horses)
Day 4: Heating / cooling (bring extra blankets or sleeping bags if it’s cool, make some cosy cubby houses)
Day 5: Stove (try cooking over a campfire or BBQ outside)

Use the Power Mate to see how much energy is used by different appliances around your centre. Leave it plugged in for a day or two and record the energy used by each appliance and work out what uses the most. Think of ways you might be able to save some energy. Keep track of your actions.

Nominate one or two children per week to be the energy stars and monitor energy use.

Provocations:

I wonder what we can find that uses energy?
I wonder where the energy comes from?
I wonder if there is anything we could do differently so we use less energy?
I wonder what you could do to help save energy at home?
I wonder what makes different sorts of energy (electricity, gas, petrol, sunshine, muscles, food)?

Possible lines of development:

Encourage families to borrow the power mate and check on their own energy use.
Food as energy.
Make a solar oven out of a cardboard box.
Circuits and batteries (make a battery using lemons).
Types of light (sunlight, moonlight, fire light, etc) - Energy flashcards.
Conservation of other natural resources.
Cook on a campfire.
Encourage Active Transport – walking and cycling.
Make your own light box.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with challenges and persisting when difficulties arise
Well being	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Consider energy efficiency in relevant policies and procedures (purchasing of new appliances, laundry, etc.).
Consider seeking external funding or fundraising for solar panels.
Model and narrate energy-efficient behaviour, particularly with young children.
Provide opportunities for children to monitor energy efficiency behaviours (energy stars) to turn off lights, close doors, windows, check thermostats, and monitor energy use.
Report energy savings to families and encourage energy efficiency at home through information on noticeboards, newsletters, social media, sharing experiences, lending out power mates, etc.
Participate in activities such as Enviroweek and Earth Hour.

Rug Up in Winter

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