Energy Through Time

Curriculum Area: Science – Grade 6 (Saskatchewan Curriculum)

Specific Learning Outcome:

• Outcome: EL6.1 – Assess personal, societal, economic, and environmental impacts of electricity use in Saskatchewan.
• Outcome: EL6.2 – Examine how electrical energy is generated and how technological developments related to electricity impact the way people live, work, and interact with the environment.

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Lesson Duration: 60 Minutes

Class Size: 60 students
Teaching Style: Engaging, discussion-based, with interactive elements

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Lesson Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Identify different energy sources used in Saskatchewan’s past to provide heat and light.
• Compare past energy sources with modern electricity-based technologies.
• Discuss the impact of electricity on daily life, work, and the environment.
• Reflect on how electricity has changed Saskatchewan communities over time.

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Materials Needed:

• Images of early homes in Saskatchewan (before electricity)
• Candle, kerosene lamp (for demonstration)
• LED light bulb and portable battery-operated lamp
• Chart paper and markers
• Printed historical accounts of Saskatchewan homes before electricity
• Small whiteboards and markers for student responses

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction – "Lighting Up the Past" (10 Minutes)

• Begin by dimming the lights in the classroom and lighting a candle or kerosene lamp (if safe to do so).
• Ask students: “How would you feel if this was your only source of light at night?”
• Introduce the lesson focus: Exploring how energy sources have evolved in Saskatchewan.
• Show students pictures of homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, discussing how families used wood-burning stoves, coal, and kerosene for light and heat.

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2. Active Discussion – Early Energy in Saskatchewan (15 Minutes)

Think-Pair-Share Activity:

• Step 1: Pose the question: “What challenges would people have faced before electricity?”
• Step 2: Students discuss in small groups (3 per group).
• Step 3: Groups share key ideas while the teacher records answers on the board (e.g., danger of open flames, smoke pollution, effort to gather fuel, lack of long-distance communication).
• Discuss historical facts:
  • In early Saskatchewan, people relied on wood, coal, and kerosene for heating and lighting.
  • The first introduction of electricity to homes radically changed daily life.

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3. Hands-on Comparison – Past vs. Present (15 Minutes)

Activity: "Energy Past & Present Sorting Challenge"

• Each student receives a set of picture cards showing different energy sources and appliances from the past and present (e.g., wood stove vs. electric stove, kerosene lamp vs. LED light, writing letters vs. sending emails).
• In groups of 5, students work together to categorize items under "Past Energy Sources" and "Modern Energy Use."
• As a class, discuss how technological advancements improved daily work and quality of life.

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4. Environmental & Social Impact Discussion (10 Minutes)

• Pose the question: "How do you think electricity has changed the environment and the way people work?"
• Guide students to consider:
  • Positive Impacts: Improved communication (telephones, internet), efficient heating, safer lighting, less manual labour.
  • Negative Impacts: Increased energy consumption, environmental concerns (hydropower, fossil fuel usage).
• Provide an example: Saskatchewan relies on hydroelectricity, natural gas, and coal for power. Ask, “What can we do to use less electricity?”

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5. Wrap-Up & Reflection (10 Minutes)

Exit Ticket Question:

• Each student writes one sentence to complete the phrase: Before electricity, life in Saskatchewan was ___, but today it is ___.
• Discuss responses as a class.

Optional Homework:

• Ask students to interview an older family member or neighbour about their experiences with energy changes over time and report back to the class.

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Assessment & Differentiation Strategies:

✔ Observation: Monitor students’ participation in discussions and group activities.
✔ Group Work: Encourage all students to contribute ideas and engage with their peers.
✔ Exit Tickets: Review students’ written reflections to assess understanding.

Differentiation:

• For visual learners: Use pictures and historical images.
• For kinesthetic learners: Provide hands-on sorting activities.
• For auditory learners: Lead a storytelling session about electricity in early Saskatchewan.

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Teacher Notes & Extensions:

• Extension Activity: Discuss renewable energy sources in Saskatchewan today (e.g., wind turbines, solar farms).
• Real-World Connection: Invite a guest speaker from SaskPower to discuss modern electricity usage.

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This lesson immerses students in history, engages them in interactive learning, and encourages reflection on the impact of electricity in Saskatchewan.