At the end of this energy transformations lesson plan, students will be able to demonstrate the

transformation of energy from one form of energy to another. Each lesson is designed using the
5E method of instruction to ensure maximum comprehension by the students.

The following post will walk you through each of the steps and activities from the energy
transformations lesson plan.

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ENGAGEMENT
Objective Introduction

At the beginning of the lesson, the class will do a Think-Pair-Share to discuss the objective.

Class Activity

1. Tell students that today they will be learning about energy transformations.
2. Demonstrate to the class your “Tiny Dancer” or motor.
3. Ask the students to brainstorm all the different forms of energy they observe in the “Tiny
Dancer”.
4. Hopefully, they will come up with battery (chemical), motion (kinetic).

Student Activity

1. Explain that energy can be transformed from one form to another.

2. Show the students the objects you collected from the classroom.
3. Ask students to make a list of energy transformation for each object.
The teacher will help to clear any misconceptions about energy transformations. A major
misconception is that students think that energy is just used up and not transformed.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION
This student-centered station lab is set up so students can begin to explore energy
transformations. Four of the stations are considered input stations where students are learning
new information about energy transformations and four of the stations are output stations where
students will be demonstrating their mastery of the input stations. Each of the stations is
differentiated to challenge students using a different learning style. You can read more about
how I set up the station labs here.

EXPLORE IT!
Students will be working in pairs to better understand energy transformations. In this station,
students interact with labels as they try to identify the types of energy transformed. Students will
follow the steps and record their observations on their lab sheet.

WATCH IT!

At this station, students will be watching a short video explaining energy transformations.
Students will then answer questions related to the video and record their answers on their lab
station sheet. For example: List 6 different types of energy that are found in the video. List 4
different energy transformation examples from the video.

RESEARCH IT!

The research station will allow students to explore an interactive web page that helps them
understand energy transformations. Students will be instructed to complete a few tasks and
record answers on their lab sheets.
READ IT!

his station will provide students with a one page reading about energy transformations. There are
4 follow-up questions that the students will answer to show reading comprehension of the
subject.

ASSESS IT!

The assess it station is where students will go to prove mastery over the concepts they learned in
the lab. The questions are set up in a standardized format with multiple choice answers. Some
questions include: What is the correct energy transformation in a flashlight? What is the correct
energy transformation in a hot air balloon? What is the correct energy transformation in a
hydropower dam? Which energy type is missing from the solar panel?
WRITE IT!

Students who can answer open-ended questions about the lab truly understand the concepts that
are being taught. At this station, the students will be answering three task cards: Describe the
energy transformation in a windmill. What does the law of conservation of energy state? Provide
an example of a household item and describe the energy transformations that it undergoes.

ILLUSTRATE IT!

Your visual students will love this station. Students are to draw pictures that demonstrate their
knowledge of energy transformations.
ORGANIZE IT!

Students at this station will match the sets of cards. Cards include objects and energy
transformations that the students will work to determine which would be a match. Once students
have completed their organization, the teacher will check their understanding.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: 1-2, 45 minute class periods

EXPLANATION
The explanation activities will become much more engaging for the class once they have
completed the exploration station lab. During the explanation piece, the teacher will be clearing
up any misconceptions about energy transformation with an interactive PowerPoint, anchor
charts, and notes. The energy transformation lesson includes a PowerPoint with activities
scattered throughout to keep the students engaged.
The students will also be interacting with their journals while taking notes from the PowerPoint.
If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every
student access to the lesson.
Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: 2-3, 45 minute class periods

ELABORATION
The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction is intended to give students choice on
how they can prove mastery of the concept. When students are given choice the ‘buy-in’ is
much greater than when the teacher tells them the project they will have to create. The
elaboration project will allow students to create a transformation table, scavenger hunt, solar
oven, drawing of an energy transformation machine, sound experiment, Lego circuit board, Rube
Goldberg machine, or a heat demonstration.
Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: 2-3, 45 minute class periods (can also be used as an
at-home project)

EVALUATION
The final piece of the 5E model is to evaluate student comprehension. Included in every 5E
lesson is a homework assignment, assessment, and modified assessment. Research has shown
that homework needs to be meaningful and applicable to real-world activities in order to be
effective. When possible, I like to give open-ended assessments to truly gauge the student’s
comprehension.