Potential and Kinetic Energy Lesson Plan – A Complete Science Lesson Using the 5E Method of Instruction

By the end of this less about potential and kinetic energy, students will be able to compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy. Each of our lessons is designed using the 5E method of instruction to ensure maximum comprehension by the students. This well-thought out unit does the heavy lifting, giving teachers easy-to-implement, highly engaging lesson plans.

This blog will walk you through each of the steps and activities from the Potential and Kinetic Energy 5E Lesson Plan.

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 the students they will be studying kinetic and potential energy over the next few days. Ask the students if they can explain the difference between potential and kinetic energy.
2. Show the video using the provided link.

Student Activity

1. Divide the class into groups of three or four students.
2. Each group will decide on one object from the classroom and discuss how it can be used as potential energy and kinetic energy.
3. Draw diagrams to show how/when their object exhibits potential and kinetic energy.
4. Each group will present their ideas to the class on why they chose the object, and how it is used for potential and kinetic energy.

The teacher will help to clear any misconceptions about potential and kinetic energy. A major misconception is that students do not realize that an object at rest has energy.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION

This student-centered station lab is set up so students can begin to explore potential and kinetic energy. With nine stations in total, you can introduce potential and kinetic energy to your middle school students in a variety of ways! Four of these stations are considered input stations where students will learn new information about potential and kinetic energy, and four of the stations are output stations where students will be demonstrating their mastery of the lesson's material. A bonus station offers challenges for your early finishers and independent learners. You can read more about how I set up the station labs here.

Watch It!

At this station, students will be watching a short video explaining potential and kinetic energy. Students will then answer questions related to the video and record their answers on their lab station sheet. For example: What is energy? What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy? Describe a situation where an object would have potential energy transformed into kinetic energy.

Read It!

This station will provide students with a one-page reading about potential and kinetic energy. There are four follow-up questions that the students will answer to demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material.

Explore It!

Students will be working in pairs to better understand potential and kinetic energy. In this station, students interact with foam pieces as they try to construct a roller coaster and identify the potential and kinetic energy within. Students will follow the steps and record their observations on their lab sheet.

Research It!

The research station will allow students to explore an interactive webpage that has students take a scientific approach to roller coasters and potential and kinetic energy. Students will be instructed to complete a few tasks and record answers on their lab sheets.

Organize It!

Students at this station will match the sets of cards. Students will read scenarios and have to decide whether they are describing potential or kinetic energy. Once students have completed their organization, the teacher will check their understanding.

Illustrate It!

Your visual students will love this station. Students are to draw a picture that demonstrates their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy. They will label the drawing with 100% potential energy, 100% kinetic energy, potential energy decreasing and kinetic energy increasing and the direction of the force of gravity.

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: How does energy change from potential to kinetic energy? Describe a situation where you would see the transformation from potential to kinetic energy. Think of a hydropower dam. How is electrical energy produced from potential and kinetic energy?

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 stored energy in an object due to its position called? How does potential energy transfer to kinetic energy? Which is an example of kinetic energy? Which represents kinetic energy transferring into potential energy?

Challenge It! - Bonus Station

Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Four activity choices offer them ways to expand their learning through mini-games and mini-projects.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: One or two 45-minute class periods

EXPLANATION

The explanation activities will become much more engaging for your class once they’ve completed the exploration station lab. During the explanation piece of the lesson, the teacher will be clearing up any misconceptions their students may have about potential and kinetic energy with a variety of materials. These materials include on-level and modified versions of the interactive presentation (may be used individually or projected), anchor charts, and paper or digital interactive notebook activities. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

Interactive notebook samples: Above-left is a digital INB activity slide; above-right is an example of the paper INB activities.

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: Two or three 45-minute class periods

ELABORATION

The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction gives students choices that allow them to prove they’ve mastered the concepts behind the lesson. When students are given a choice, they’re much more enthusiastic and invested in the project than they are when their teachers choose their projects for them. There are a total of nine choices to demonstrate understanding of potential and kinetic energy. A separate set of choices that offer more teacher support are also available for students that need them. Rubrics guide students to doing their best work and assist in grading.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: Two or three 45-minute class periods (can also be used as an at-home project)

EVALUATION

The final piece of the 5E model is to evaluate your students' 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.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: One 45-minute class period

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