Twelve lettered statements about solar, wind, coal and natural gas go into a pros and cons chart on this 4th grade renewable and nonrenewable resources sheet. Solar and wind are marked renewable, coal and natural gas nonrenewable. Part 2 asks students to choose one source for their town and explain the choice with one pro and one con from the chart. The key shows where all twelve statements go and gives a sample answer for solar.
4-ESS3-1
“Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.”
Part 1 ties each source to what it does to the environment, such as coal polluting the air and natural gas releasing carbon dioxide, and to whether it will run out.
“Support a choice with a pro and a con from a chart.”
Part 2 question 2 asks students to name one pro and one con for the source they pick.
Statement cards A to L, such as 'Wind turbines can harm birds' and 'Natural gas burns cleaner than coal'. Students write each card, or its letter, in the PROS or CONS box of the right energy source.
Question 1 asks which source from the chart students would choose. Question 2 gives about eight lines to explain, using one pro and one con.
The completed chart, with two pros and one con for solar, one pro and two cons each for wind, coal and natural gas, plus a sample solar answer.
Sort in pairs
Pairs place the cards in the chart and argue about any they disagree on. Statements such as 'Natural gas burns cleaner than coal' lead to good talk because the pro is only a pro next to coal.
Use the letters
Tell students to write only the letters in the chart. It saves time and keeps attention on which source and which column.
Hold a town vote
After Part 2, ask for a show of hands for each source and have a few students read their con aloud. The class sees that every source has a cost.
Get started today
