Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 06/29/04

3-4

H1: Identify different forms of energy (e.g. light, sound, heat).

Curriculum Organizing Questions

  • What are some of the forms of energy that affect us everyday?
  • What are some examples of light energy, heat energy, etc...in the classroom?
Elaboration

Children cannot understand a complex concept such as energy. Nonetheless,they have intuitive notions about energy. Teachers can build on the intuitive notions of students without requiring them to memorize technical definitions. NSES p. 126.

The idea of heat is a good place to focus. Students can readily observe things and processes that give off heat.

Specific Ideas

  • Light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, chemical, and mechanical are all forms of energy.
Developmental & Instructional Implications

This idea in a more sophisticated form is a middle level target in national documents.

Until students have reached a certain point in their understanding they gain little by using the scientific meaning of "energy".

Examples

Back to Big Ideas Grid H
Back to Standard H
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