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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Understand the main sources of electricity generation used in Wales, including renewable and non-renewable options.
• Describe how the national power grid functions to deliver electricity across Wales.
• Discuss the importance of sustainability in electricity production and usage.

Curriculum for Wales Links:

• Science and Technology:
  Exploring Properties and Changes of Matter and Energy (Statements of What Matters)
• Statements of What Matters:
  • Matter and Energy are important in everyday life, industrial processes and the natural world.
  • Energy (including electricity) can be transferred and transformed, and energy use can be sustainable.
• Exemplar Descriptor:
  • Identify different sources of electricity, including renewable and non-renewable, and explain basic functioning of a power grid.

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Success Criteria

1. I can name at least three sources of electricity used in Wales.
2. I can explain how the national grid distributes electricity to homes and businesses.
3. I can give examples of how electricity use can be sustainable.

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Lesson Overview (45 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description	Resources
0-5 mins	Starter: What powers your home?	- Class discussion: What sources of energy do we use daily?	Whiteboard, sticky notes
5-15 mins	Presentation: Electricity in Wales	- Interactive slides showing key electricity sources in Wales (wind, hydro, tidal, gas, nuclear) and their characteristics. - Include dyslexia-friendly text, clear visuals, large fonts, and colour coding for keywords.	Slide deck
15-25 mins	Explain: The Power Grid	- Explain how the power grid works using a simplified map of Wales’ grid. - Demonstration using ‘energy flow’ yarn/thread connecting mini power stations to homes.	Map printouts, yarn, power station models
25-35 mins	Group Activity: Sustainable Choices	- Pupils in mixed-ability groups discuss how to make electricity usage and production more sustainable. - Each group lists ideas and shares one.	Worksheet, pens
35-42 mins	Extension Discussion for advanced learners	- Introduce concept of grid storage and balancing supply/demand (e.g., battery farms, smart grids). - Encourage questioning and reasoning.	Additional info cards
42-45 mins	Plenary: Reflect & Recap	- Quick quiz: Identify sources/true or false statements on grid power. - Exit ticket: Write one new thing learned today.	Quiz cards, exit tickets

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Differentiation Strategies

• For EAL and Lower Literacy Pupils:

  • Use pictures and icons alongside keywords.
  • Provide sentence starters on worksheets.
  • Use oral explanation and check understanding with mini quizzes.

• For Dyslexic Learners:

  • Use dyslexia-friendly font (such as OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans) in slides and handouts.
  • High contrast colours (dark text on light backgrounds).
  • Break text into small, manageable chunks with bullet points.
  • Provide audio summary of key slides.

• For Pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN):

  • Provide printed key vocabulary with symbol supports.
  • Use peer support during group activities.
  • Allow extra time for group task.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research and present on how emerging technologies like tidal lagoons or hydrogen fuel cells could change Wales’ energy future.
• Design a poster or digital infographic that illustrates how the national grid balances renewable (variable) and non-renewable (constant) electricity sources.
• Write a persuasive argument advocating for investment in a particular renewable energy source based on its benefits for Wales.

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Resources and Materials

• Interactive PowerPoint with dyslexia-friendly fonts and clear visuals.
• Printed maps of Wales showing electricity grid lines and power stations.
• Yarn/thread and small props for demonstration.
• Group discussion worksheets with sentence starters and key vocabulary.
• Quiz and exit tickets printed on coloured paper for visual engagement.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe group discussions to assess understanding and use of vocabulary.
• Collect and review exit tickets to check if learning objectives were met.
• Use quiz responses to identify areas needing further input.
• Provide verbal feedback during plenary to reinforce key concepts.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Encourage linking this topic to local communities and visible energy infrastructure to foster relevance.
• Highlight Wales-specific energy projects (like Morlais tidal project or Ffestiniog wind farm) for engagement.
• Consider arranging an optional follow-up visit or guest speaker from a local energy company for deeper insight.

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This structured, multisensory lesson design aligns with Curriculum for Wales’ emphasis on scientific understanding, real-world context, and equity of access for all learners. It empowers pupils to appreciate the complexity and sustainability challenges of “Powering Our Future” in their own country.