Lesson Cycle

Lesson Title/Topic: Forms of Energy

Target Concept: Explore the four forms of energy 3rd Grade Science
Standards/Rationale: TEKS 112.14b (6A) Explore different forms of energy,
including mechanical, light, sound, and heat/thermal in everyday life.
Lesson Objectives:
TLW identify and draw the four forms of
energy on a poster board with 80%
accuracy.

Assessment:
Completed poster board

Materials: Poster board, markers, pencil, observation note sheet, numbered

popsicle stick, Energy Forms graphic organizer, Focus Centers: (1) Light:
flashlight, index card, mirror, freezer bag, water (2) Heat: thermometer, bag
of ice (3) Sound: pot with a lid and metal spoon (4) Mechanical: bowling set
Lesson Cycle: (Direct instruction)
The teacher will:
Focus/Mental Set:
Set up four centers, one in each
corner of the room, label with a
numbered label and set out
materials from one bag at each
center.
Set the online timer at
http://www.onlinestopwatch.com/countdown-timer/
for one minute and thirty seconds.
Pass out the numbered popsicle
sticks and ask students to locate
their center that corresponds to
their popsicle stick number.
Encourage students to collaborate
Have the included questions
written on white board. (How can
the items used? Can the items be
used together? What happens
when we use the items together? )
Monitor groups.
Ask, questions on board along with
the following questions: What was

The student will:

Participate in the group

centers activity by
actively exploring and
discussing observations
with other group
members.
Critically think about both
observations and make
inferences to the common
denominator of the
centers they visited.
Some students will
verbally express answers
when called upon by
teacher.

one thing you observed at your

center? Think about your
observations, what you saw, what
was taking place at your center?
Let students know that each
center was connected and they
each demonstrated a different
form of energy: light, heat, sound,
and mechanical.
Teacher Input:
Open PowerPoint on flash drive in
Science file>Energy
forms>Lesson.
Pass out Energy Forms graphic
organizer and ask students to work
with partner during lesson fill it
out.
Energy is the ability to cause
movement or change.
Give examples of definition such
as, moving a book, or throwing a
ball and demonstrate.
Explain there are four different
forms of energy: light, heat, sound,
and mechanical.
Define each Energy Form as
followed:
Light is a form energy that travel
in waves through air and space
and are visible us as light (ask the
class to repeat definition aloud).
Heat is a form of energy that
cause a difference in temperature
(ask the class to repeat definition
aloud).
Sound energy is a form of energy
that travel as vibrations and come
through our ear as sound (ask the
class repeat definition aloud)
Mechanical energy is a form of
energy in an object because of its
motion or position (ask the class to
repeat the definition aloud)
Use center manipulatives to show

Work in partners to fill out

their graphic organizer
with the name, definition,
and example
Say definition of energy
and complete graphic
organizer
Say definition of light
energy and complete
graphic organizer
Say definition of heat
energy, rub hands
together to create heat
energy, and complete
graphic organizer
Say definition of sound
energy and complete
graphic organizer
Say definition of
mechanical energy, roll
their pencil across the
desk, and complete
graphic organizer
Students will be divided
into 2 teams and
participate in a game of
energy Jeopardy for
review of content just
learned.

examples or show other types as

needed such as: asking students
to gently roll their pencil across
their desk to show one example of
mechanical energy
Divide class into two teams for
Energy Jeopardy
Template is found at the following
link:
https://jeopardylabs.com/play/3rdgrade-science-heatenergy

Guided Practice:
Students will perform a hunt,
searching for examples of each
type of energy on campus.
Begin their exploration.
Take an observation sheet along
with clipboard and pencil to list
any observed forms of energy they
find. (For example, the copy
machine is a form of mechanical
energy.)
Independent Practice:

Go on an energy hunt and

identify different forms of
energy observed
Walk around the campus
Record finding

Instruct the students to draw and

identify one example observed
during the energy hunt for each of
the four types of energy.
Posters will be displayed.

Closure:
Have class play the popcorn game.
With their shoulder buddy, give
pairs one minute to observe the
classroom and locate an example
of one energy form.
After one minute tell the class that
when you point to a pair, they will
stand up and say the example and
the form of energy they found,
then sit down quickly.
Let them know you want to go as
fast as possible. Call on students
at random until all have had a
chance to answer.
Options:
Enrichment:
Modifications/Correctives:

References:

Work with their groups to

complete assessment.
The assessment must
include: names of each
type of energy form along
with one illustrated
example observed during
their hunt.
Turn in the poster board.
Review the different
forms of energy examples
through a fast paced,
quick thinking popcorn
game, in which they are
able to collaborate with a
partner.

Reteach: