A Guide To Teacher Lesson Plans For Grades 3-4. Easy and fun activities to raise awareness of natural gas its origins, uses and ways to conserve it.

Transcription

1 A Guide To Teacher Lesson Plans For Grades 3-4 Easy and fun activities to raise awareness of natural gas its origins, uses and ways to conserve it.

2 Welcome! Here s your guide to promoting natural gas conservation in your classroom. These lesson plan activities including a science experiment, word search, crossword puzzle, quiz and more will help you teach your students about natural gas conservation. Hopefully, students will share what they learn with parents, siblings, relatives and neighbors. The more people who know about the importance of conserving natural gas, the better! Minnesota Energy esources is proud to help expand our community of conservation-conscious natural gas customers. You can implement the enclosed lesson plan in one day or stretch it out over several days. We ve even developed a certificate of knowledge that will help extend and reinforce the information beyond your teaching time. All lesson plan materials can be downloaded at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/educators.aspx. Before you download the lesson plan materials, take a moment to read through this guide. You ll find an overview of natural gas its origins, uses and ways to conserve it. The step-by-step instructions are especially useful in implementing each section in your classroom. As you ll see, the most effective way to teach the materials is in the order they appear. 2

3 Why teach natural gas conservation? Natural gas how it s made, procured and used is an interesting story to share with students. The cleanest-burning fossil fuel, natural gas can be used to heat homes, light streets and dry clothes. And, it all began more than 200 million years ago. The buried remains of tiny plants and sea animals were covered by thick layers of mud, sand, silt and rock, and they were pushed deeper and deeper into Earth s crust. As the layers built up, pressure and heat from the shifting surface of the earth filled the resulting cracks with oil and natural gas. Today, large pipes and wells bring natural gas to the surface. It s cleaned, processed, pressurized and sent through long, underground pipelines across the United States. Before it reaches its final destination, natural gas receives a special odor to help people detect leaks. Many people think the harmless additive smells like rotten eggs. Over half of all American households use natural gas for their energy needs: heating the house, cooking food, washing clothes, among many others. Because natural gas is a nonrenewable resource, people will eventually exhaust its supply. By teaching students about conservation, you are helping to extend its vital everyday use in our lives and the lives of our children. Conservation also helps save money on energy bills and helps keep the environment clean. 3

4 Lesson Plan Activities Simple for you. Fun for students. The following activities will help you teach your students about conserving natural gas. All lesson plan materials can be downloaded at minnesotaenergyresources.com/ business/educators.aspx. The activities are most effective when accomplished in the order they appear. However, you re encouraged to introduce the activities in whatever order best meets the unique requirements of your classroom. Maze The a-maze-ing Way We Get Natural Gas! This activity is an overview of how natural gas is made, gathered and distributed. It s a simple way to begin your students natural gas education. Let s start to get Gas Sma rt! This maze help you see will how natural gas is made and delivered to your home. Follow the six steps in order to und erstand the process of making and delivering natu ral gas. STAT 1 Use this Maze in your classroom: 1) Download the Maze at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Briefly explain the history of natural gas to your students. Use the statements within each step in the Maze as a guide. 3) Ask your students to complete the Maze. 2 Tiny ocean plants and animals die, decay and are covered with sand, mud and rock. For 200 million years, this mixture builds pressure and heat; natural gas and oil are formed. 3 4 Today, large pipes bring natural gas to Earth s surface. Natural gas is then cleaned, processed and pressurized. 5 6 Natural gas is sent across the United States through long underground pipelines. A rotten egg-like smell is added to help detect leaks. Natural gas is then delivered to your home! FINISH! Maze answer key is on page 9 of this guide. 4

5 Lesson Plan Activities cont d Word Search This activity is a great introduction to the origins of natural gas and how common it is in U.S. households. More than just a list of words to find, this puzzle tells the story of natural gas. Use this Word Search in your classroom: 1) Download the Word Search sheet at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Distribute Word Search to your students. 3) eview the story with your students. 4) Ask them to complete the Word Search, either in class or at home. emind them that words can be found forward, backward, diagonally, vertically and horizontally. Word Search p you zle will hel search puz and This word ural gas is d what nat ned understan the underli. de. Find below zle how it s ma puz den in the be found words hid can, words emember kward, diagonally, bac forward, ntally. and horizo vertically Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed over a period of 200 million years from decaying ocean plants and animals. When these plants and animals died, their remains sank to the bottom of the ocean. It took millions of years, but the sand, mud and rock settled on them and pushed them deeper into the earth. The pressure that built up and the heat from the sun filled the cracks with natural gas and oil. Today, over half of all homes in the U.S. use natural gas for energy needs like heating water, cooking food and operating a furnace (your home s heating system). M V O I Y P L X J Q X B T I G K L B G X K C C J O Y O A N D G J G F E W N U E G B L D W I M J K O H Q D U Y T Z O L W K E C A M F B J P G L H A N O P W Y L E U F L I S S O F I E A G U B T C M N O K X A J O H B P Z D G T F S L E U S S E P D F C U N X Q G M A H U Word Search answer key is on page 10 of this guide. Match Game Match Game A great way to introduce more terms and concepts, this game is simple to complete. It expands on ideas introduced in the Maze and Word Search activities. Use this Match Game in your classroom: 1) Download the Match Game sheet, which includes definitions, at minnesotaenergyresources.com/ business/educators.aspx. 2) Distribute Match Game to your students. 3) eview the definitions with your students. 4) Ask them to complete the Match Game, either in class or at home. A nonrenewable energy source, like natural gas, does not get replaced after we use it. So, it s very important that we conserve energy and use less natural gas. We don t want to run out, do we? When we talk about natural gas, we use all sorts of interesting words. Draw a line from the words listed below to their correct definitions. Energy Made from old plants and animals, types of these are coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil Fuels This means to use less natural gas, which helps the environment. Natural Gas A long, underground tube that carries natural gas. Conserve This comes in many different forms, and we use it every day to help get things done. Pipeline An energy source that is not replaced; natural gas and coal are examples. Nonrenewable Equipment with dials that measures how much natural gas your family uses in your home. Leak This fossil fuel, formed 200 million years ago, travels through pipelines to our homes. Gas Meter When natural gas leaves a pipe and goes into the air we breathe. Match Game answer key is on page 11 of this guide. 5

6 Lesson Plan Activities cont d Crossword Puzzle Crossword Puzzle This puzzle continues the natural gas story that began in the Word Search. The clues are found within the informational copy blocks, making the activity more fun and interesting. Use this Crossword Puzzle in your classroom: 1) Download the Crossword Puzzle sheet at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Distribute the Crossword Puzzle to your students. 3) eview the story with your students. 4) Ask them to complete the Crossword Puzzle, either in class or at home. natural s learn how to your Now, let ivered gas is del r school and home, you s in your businesse. community The words for the puzzle can be found in the Gas Smart Maze, Word Search and Match Game First, (5 down) is brought up to the surface of the (2 down). To get it to work with appliances in your (1 across), it needs to be cleaned and processed. (4 down) tubes that are many miles long carry natural gas underground to towns across the country. Because natural gas is odorless and colorless, natural gas companies add a scent like (6 across) to help detect (3 down) and keep us safe. 7 An energy source that does not get replaced after we use it is a called a (5 across) energy source. So, it s very important that we (7 across) energy and use less natural gas. We don t want to run out, do we? Crossword Puzzle answer key is on page 12 of this guide. Experiment Let s Make Natural Gas! Let s Make Natural Gas! is a natural follow-up to the Word Search and Crossword Puzzle. Showing how natural gas is made brings the process to life, even though it could take several days to see results. t will help eriment tha s Smart exp ural gas is made. This is a Ga nat tand how s of years you unders ure, it takes million mals to ani In nat and plants gas. for ocean s natural ich create days for decay, wh e several of this It may tak the results you to see patient! be so, experiment Materials needed: Empty bottle Balloon (don t blow it up) aw vegetable scraps (carrots, lettuce, potato peels) aw ground beef or tuna (small amount) Soil (1/2-cup) Water (3 tablespoons) ubber bands Directions: 1) Collect all materials listed above. 2) Put the vegetable scraps and raw meat in the bottle. 3) Put soil into bottle, covering scraps and meat. 4) Pour water into bottle, not directly on soil and scraps. 5) Stretch the balloon over the open end of the bottle. Tightly wrap your rubber band around the base of the balloon to seal the top of the bottle. 6) Carefully move the bottle to a warm place (like a window ledge) where the sun can shine on it. Try not to shake it up while moving it. Let your bottle sit undisturbed. Perform this Experiment in your classroom: 1) Download the Experiment sheet at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Gather the necessary materials and divide your students into working groups. You will need to clear a space (ideally a window ledge) where each group s bottle can sit, undisturbed. 3) eview the steps with your students. Emphasize how the process takes time to fully realize results (up to a week), just as it does in nature (only millions of years). 4) Discuss possible outcomes of the experiment. Lab Questions: 1) What do you think will happen during the next few days? 2) What will happen to the balloon? 3) Why is this happening? Note: There is no answer key for this activity. 6

7 Lesson Plan Activities cont d True Or False Quiz True Or False Quiz This activity begins to emphasize the importance of conserving natural gas. Some terms used in the True Or False Quiz are also found in the Word Search, so the quiz can be used to test comprehension of that activity. s the gas reduce g natural Conservin energy and spend on nt. So, money we environme? the e you sav helps Smart are e-orhow Gas simple tru Try these find stions and false que eful! car be out. But, them Some of are tricky. Use this True Or False Quiz in your classroom: 1) Download the Quiz at minnesotaenergyresources. com/business/educators.aspx. 2) Distribute Quiz to your students. 3) Discuss each answer with the class. 1 In a home, natural gas helps heat water, dry clothes and heat stoves. 2 The United States uses more natural gas each year than any other country in the world. 3 4 Natural gas is renewable, so we can always make more of it. Natural gas smells so bad because it s made of rotten eggs. 5 Underground pipelines are used to deliver natural gas to homes. 6 Businesses use natural gas to make steel, glass, paper and even fertilizer. 7 Over half of homes in the U.S. use natural gas for their energy needs. 8 A fossil fuel, natural gas takes 2,000 years to form deep inside the earth. emember, if you ever smell natural gas rotten egg scent, you should tell an adult right away. Then, leave the house without touching or using anything electric, not even a light switch. True Or False Quiz answer key is on page 13 of this guide. Fill In The Blank Fill In The Blank In this activity, students explore various ways to conserve energy at home. This is a perfect way for students to begin discussions with parents and siblings. Let s explore various ways to conserve energy at home. Talk with your parents, brothers and sisters about these ways to save natural gas and be Gas Smart. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the list below. water showerhead air filter thermostat clothes dryer oven door 1) emember to cover pots when cooking. Also, keep the closed as much as possible when in use. Use this Fill In The Blank in your classroom: 1) Download the Fill In The Blank at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Distribute Fill In The Blank to your students. 3) Discuss answers with students. 4) Encourage students to bring up these conservation tips with their parents. 2) It takes energy to heat water, so take shorter showers or baths. A water-saving helps conserve, too. 3) In winter, turn down your to 68 F during the day and 55 F at night. 4) Natural gas is needed to heat your, so choose cold or warm when using your clothes washer to conserve energy. 5) Installing a clean on your heating system can save energy (and natural gas). 6) Clean the lint filter before each load to improve air flow. Fill In The Blank answer key is on page 14 of this guide. 7

8 Lesson Plan Activities cont d Follow-Up Questions And Homework Follow-Up Questions By this time, students should have a good grasp of the importance of conserving natural gas and the various ways to do so. At home and at school, students can help conserve natural gas. making w about! You kno ways Gas Smart it and the various g You are so stions to, conservin some que natural gas are re how you rgy. He nk about Thi to save ene ss.. cla natural gas discuss in ve more can conser 1) What uses energy at home? Which use natural gas? 2) Are you using the natural gas conservation ideas we discussed? 3) How could you save more energy at home? Use these Follow-Up Questions in your classroom: 1) Download the Follow-Up Questions at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) emind students of natural gas conservation terms and concepts, and the results of the in-class experiment. 3) Discuss questions as a class. Ask for additional conservation ideas. Homework Interview an adult who uses natural gas at home. Tell your mom, dad, aunt, uncle or neighbor that you re learning about natural gas use. Write down your answers here. Your name: Name of person being interviewed: 1) How many natural gas appliances do you have? 2) Have you always lived somewhere that uses natural gas? 3) What are you doing to conserve energy? Assign the Homework assignment for outside the classroom: 1) Download the Homework assignment at minnesotaenergyresources.com/ business/educators.aspx. 2) emind students of natural gas conservation concepts and ask them to interview an adult. 3) Discuss findings as a class. Certificate Once students have completed most or all of the lesson plan activities, present them with this certificate of accomplishment. Gas Smart Conservation Kid! Congratulations! (name) knows all about natural gas: how it is made, how to use it and how to conserve it. Use this Certificate in your classroom: 1) Download Gas Smart Conservation Kid! at minnesotaenergyresources.com/business/ educators.aspx. 2) Sign each certificate. 3) Distribute certificates to students (make it as official as you wish); instruct them to have a parent or guardian sign it as well. 4) Hang the certificates on your classroom wall or tell students to display theirs at home. efrigerators are a popular location. (teacher) (parent) (date) Minnesota Energy esources Gas Smart Program 8

9 Answer Key The a-maze-ing Way We Get Natural Gas! Let s start to get Gas Smart! This maze will help you see how natural gas is made and delivered to your home. Follow the six steps in order to understand the process of making and delivering natural gas. STAT 1 Tiny ocean plants and animals die, decay and are covered with sand, mud and rock. 2 For 200 million years, this mixture builds pressure and heat; natural gas and oil are formed. 4 Natural gas is then cleaned, processed and pressurized. 6 A rotten egg-like smell is added to help detect leaks. Natural gas is then delivered to your home! 5 3 Today, large pipes bring natural gas to Earth s surface. Natural gas is sent across the United States through long underground pipelines. FINISH! 9

10 Answer Key Word Search This word search puzzle will help you understand what natural gas is and how it s made. Find the underlined words hidden in the puzzle below. emember, words can be found forward, backward, diagonally, vertically and horizontally. Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed over a period of 200 million years from decaying ocean plants and animals. When these plants and animals died, their remains sank to the bottom of the ocean. It took millions of years, but the sand, mud and rock settled on them and pushed them deeper into the earth. The pressure that built up and the heat from the sun filled the cracks with natural gas and oil. Today, over half of all homes in the U.S. use natural gas for energy needs like heating water, cooking food and operating a furnace (your home s heating system). M B T G F E J L K F F V I G W N U P E A X S C O K L E G B G U A L U B L D L F G J E I G X W I M H L U O N Y K J K O A I B H U X P C C H Q N S B S Q L J O D U Y O S T P S G X Y T Z O P O C Z E M J O A L W K W F M D A Q N D E C A Y I N G P H X G J M F B E O T D U A Minnesota Guide to Energy Teacher esources Lesson Plans Gas for Smart Grades Program 3-4 Grades

11 Answer Key Match Game A nonrenewable energy source, like natural gas, does not get replaced after we use it. So, it s very important that we conserve energy and use less natural gas. We don t want to run out, do we? When we talk about natural gas, we use all sorts of interesting words. Draw a line from the words listed below to their correct definitions. Energy Fossil Fuels Natural Gas Conserve Pipeline Nonrenewable Leak Gas Meter Made from old plants and animals, types of these are coal, oil and natural gas. This means to use less natural gas, which helps the environment. A long, underground tube that carries natural gas. This comes in many different forms, and we use it every day to help get things done. An energy source that is not replaced; natural gas and coal are examples. Equipment with dials that measures how much natural gas your family uses in your home. This fossil fuel, formed 200 million years ago, travels through pipelines to our homes. When natural gas leaves a pipe and goes into the air we breathe. 11

12 Answer Key Crossword Puzzle Now, let s learn how natural gas is delivered to your home, your school and businesses in your community. 7 c o n 1 2 h o m e 5 6 o t t e n e r v e The words for the puzzle can be found in the Gas Smart Maze, Word Search and Match Game. a p 3 l n o n r e n e w a b l e t h a t u r a l g a s 4 p i l i n e s g g s a k s First, (5 down) is brought up to the surface of the (2 down). To get it to work with appliances in your (1 across), it needs to be cleaned and processed. (4 down) tubes that are many miles long carry natural gas underground to towns across the country. Because natural gas is odorless and colorless, natural gas companies add a scent like (6 across) to help detect (3 down) and keep us safe. An energy source that does not get replaced after we use it is a called a (5 across) energy source. So, it s very important that we (7 across) energy and use less natural gas. We don t want to run out, do we? A Minnesota Guide to Energy Teacher esources Lesson Plans Gas for Smart Grades Program 3-4 Grades

13 Answer Key True Or False Quiz Conserving natural gas reduces the money we spend on energy and helps save the environment. So, how Gas Smart are you? Try these simple true-orfalse questions and find out. But, be careful! Some of them are tricky. 5 6 Underground pipelines are used to deliver natural gas to homes. Businesses use natural gas to make steel, glass, paper and even fertilizer. 1 In a home, natural gas helps heat water, dry clothes and heat stoves. 7 Over half of homes in the U.S. use natural gas for their energy needs. 2 The United States uses more natural gas each year than any other country in the world. 8 A fossil fuel, natural gas takes 2,000 years to form deep inside the earth. FALSE It can take 200 million years to create natural gas. 4 3 Natural gas is renewable, so we can always make more of it. FALSE Natural gas is a nonrenewable energy source, so there s a limited amount we can get from the earth. Natural gas smells so bad because it s made of rotten eggs. FALSE The rotten egg smell is added by gas companies to help detect leaks and increase safety. emember, if you ever smell natural gas rotten egg scent, you should tell an adult right away. Then, leave the house without touching or using anything electric, not even a light switch. 13

14 Answer Key Fill In The Blank Let s explore various ways to conserve energy at home. Talk with your parents, brothers and sisters about these ways to save natural gas and be Gas Smart. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the list below. water showerhead air filter thermostat clothes dryer oven door 1) emember to cover pots when cooking. Also, keep the oven door closed as much as possible when in use. 2) It takes energy to heat water, so take shorter showers or baths. A water-saving showerhead helps conserve, too. 3) In winter, turn down your thermostat to 68 F during the day and 55 F at night. 4) Natural gas is needed to heat your, water so choose cold or warm when using your clothes washer to conserve energy. 5) Installing a clean air filter on your heating system can save energy (and natural gas). 6) Clean the clothes dryer lint filter before each load to improve air flow. A Minnesota Guide to Energy Teacher esources Lesson Plans Gas for Smart Grades Program 3-4 Grades

15