Kindergarten Energy Lesson

Teach the students about the renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and water energy. Ask them if they know how a wind turbine works and if they have seen wind turbines. Ask them to think of other ways to save the earth's natural resources such as using yard and kitchen waste for composting. Ask them to draw a picture of people conserving natural resources or of a machine that operates on renewable energy.

Teach the students about the differences between non-renewable and renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are the fossil fuels coal, oil and natural gas. Make flash cards that show non-renewable energy sources and flash cards that show renewable energy sources. Show the cards to the students and discuss how these energy sources work and if they are renewable or non-renewable. Then, ask the students to divide the cards into two piles: renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

Help the students learn about conserving energy through an interactive chart. Have each student create a chart that has spaces where the children can put a check mark every time they do something to conserve energy. For instance, put a line on the chart for a family bike ride instead of a car ride, or a line they can check off when they remember to turn off a light switch when leaving a room. Other ideas include asking parents to turn down the thermostat a few degrees and to take short showers instead of baths. Reward the students with a party at school when the majority of students have filled their charts with check marks.

Ask the students to get involved in learning about energy and how to be better stewards of energy. Ask them to create an energy-saving poster they can post at home or at school. Give them craft supplies and construction paper or poster board. Encourage them to draw pictures of ways people can conserve energy in their homes, such as using energy-efficient light bulbs. Another energy-related lesson is to ask the kindergartners to sign a pledge to conserve energy and for them to talk with their parents about what their family can do to protect energy sources. Make a pledge card on a word processing program and reproduce it. Distribute the card to the students, ask them to sign it and then bring their signed pledges to their parents.