Perspective Lesson: Wind Turbines
Lesson Plan
55 minutesGrades2English Language Arts
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Written by Kristen Conroy, Sustainable Jersey for Schools
About this lesson
Students read about wind turbines and role-play the parts of community members to learn about the pros and cons of different perspectives in a community.
Inquire: Students view pictures of wind turbines and share what they know and want to know.
Investigate: Students view a map of wind turbines in New Jersey, listen to a read aloud, and discuss the pros and cons of wind turbines.
Inspire: Students role-play members of a community to learn key points and perspectives surrounding wind energy.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught during a unit on the Earth, in April for Earth Month, or in conjunction with a science class.
- This lesson can be used to reinforce the skills of making real-world connections.
- This lesson encourages students to work together, ask questions, use facts from the lesson, listen, and share opinions.
- Students should be encouraged to share their work with their community.
- This lesson helps students think about the community members’ different perspectives on wind turbines and how all people have a voice.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 3 of 3 in our 2nd grade ELA Unit: Impact on Biomes but it can be taught as a standalone lesson.
- Obtain a copy of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Picture Book Edition, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, at your local library or online.
- Teacher needs to print out Student Document and role-play slips before teaching this lesson.
- Students should have a basic understanding of climate change. Teachers can discuss the concept of climate change in simple terms for students, or use one of the kid-friendly resources listed below:
- Introduction to Climate Change (video 2:55)
- Climate Change According to a Kid (video 2:01)
Differentiation
- Teachers can pre-determine roles and student groupings based on student needs and abilities.
- Students who need more support can be given sentence starters for the writing activity.
- More advanced students can write a short letter to the town council expressing their views on wind turbines or create a poster showing the pros and cons of wind turbines from different perspectives.
- Optional activity for kinesthetic learners: Students engage in a brain break, Wind Song: The Adventures of Zobey.
From the scientist review
The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about wind turbines, including their functions, benefits, environmental effects, and geographic distribution in New Jersey. This lesson passed our credibility checks for science when we reviewed it.
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About the teacher writers
Kristen Conroy
Kristen Conroy holds a Bachelor of Arts from Montclair State University. She has been teaching since 2004 and has 22 years of experience in elementary education, specializing in science and gifted education for grades K–5. Kristen currently serves as a District Science Specialist for grades K–4 and as a Gifted and Talented teacher, and holds P–3 and K–8 teaching certifications.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future.
