This week took a different route from the previous work on Earth 911. It started by continuing last week's discussion about ways to conserve energy. The students came up with some very interesting ideas and they never cease to amaze me with what they already know and what they are adding to their knowledge base. Our class meetings have personified my objective for NCATE Standard I which was to establish prior knowledge.
We have called this week our "Waste Watchers' Week" because each child took home an audit to use to assess ways their families use energy. They learned to read an electric meter and they recorded their home readings on their audits. In one week, they will re-read the meters and calculate the average daily amount of energy that is used by their families. The audits included questions about the number of lights that are left on with no one in the room, how many televisions or radios are on in a room that has no one in it, how many windows have drafts, how many faucets are leaking, temperature of hot water heaters, etc. Other questions dealt with using hot or cold water to wash clothes and if they use the drying cycle on their dishwashers or let them air dry. I believe that this is the week where the children are really practicing what they are learning. My plan for Standard 4 was to provide real-life experiences for the students so that they will retain and transfer knowledge. I feel that not only "Waste Watchers' Week", but the entire Earth 911 project has given my learners opportunites to truly make that transfer. I see them realizing how the choices they make affect our environment, and hopefully, this project will be a life-long lesson for them.
Since our meetings this week revolved around reporting on the audit and lots of class discussion, I don't have pictures to post. I do have some neat websites to share, though, so be sure to visit them.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/
http://www.scienceforamerica.com/
http://www.school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide
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What a great way for students to see the importance of conserving energy. Now they will understand why their parents say turn off the lights when you leave, don't leave the tv on all night, and why they keep the air conditioner and heating unit between 68 and 72 degrees. I wish my daughter were old enough to soak up this lesson then maybe should would consciously try to conserve energy and not whine when someone won't turn on every light and every tv in the house, but hey she's only 1.
ReplyDeletePrior knowledge has such an impact on our learning! The students are learning a very valuable lesson.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome project for your students to complete. I like that you taught them how to read the electric meter. I think that they are going to be very surprised about how energy we tend to waste each day. I would be!
ReplyDeleteJoan, I am loving your project. Your title is so catching and reminded me of several personal goals that I have, saving energy and losing weight. I think it is great that you are getting your students so involved. Learning to read an electric meter is great. I am sure that your parents will view this as you joining forces with them as they have to constantly battle getting their young ones to turn off the lights and to close that refrigerator. Great posting. I can't wait to read what your students' reactions will be to their meter readings.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! The students are detectives for energy waste in their own homes. All of the skills and knowledge that are being applied - gathering information, calculating, analyzing data, and reporting. The best part of it is they may not look at it as doing school work! It does not get better than that.
ReplyDeleteA discussion leads to learning.........ok, isn't that they way it should be? Yeehaw!
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