Lesson 6: Solar Electricity

 Preparation

 Lesson Plan

Tuning In

• Ask the class to name the form of energy that is the most abundant on Earth. Invite the students to share their suggestions and encourage them to provide some justifications for their conclusions. Explain to the class that energy from the sun, or solar energy, is the most abundant source.
• Revise the concept that electricity is a secondary source of energy (another from of energy has to be transformed into electricity). Ask the class if they can recall any technology that exists today that can transform solar energy into electricity. Encourage the students to share their answers.

Teacher Instruction

• Introduce the statement to be investigated in the lesson: Solar energy is a viable source of electricity. Discuss the statement and ensure that all of the students understand its meaning.
• Display and discuss slide 18 of the It’s Electric! PowerPoint, then watch the How Do Solar Panels Work? video on YouTube. Afterwards, revise the content of the video and allow the students to ask clarifying questions if needed.

Guided/Independent Learning

• Distribute the Investigating Solar Generated Electricity Worksheet to the students. Read through the instructions as a class and ensure that the students understand the task.
• Monitor and support the students as they work through the activity. The worksheet can be completed independently, in pairs or in small groups. Ensure that the students have access to appropriate research materials.

Wrapping Up

• As a class, review the statement being investigated: Solar energy is a viable source of electricity. Encourage the students to share their research findings and use these to either support or disprove the statement.
• Revist the Electricity Word Wall. Add the words ‘solar panel’ and ‘solar electricity’ to the display.

 Differentiation

Extending Students

• Encourage more capable students to use their research to write an informative text about solar energy.

Supporting Students

• Encourage less confident students to choose one or two questions only from the worksheet to research.

 Assessment Strategies

Suggested Assessment Strategies

• used strategic whole class or individual questioning
• observed student participation during learning activities
• recorded student progress on a checklist
• annotated student work samples
• collected and reviewed student work samples
• facilitated whole class or peer feedback sessions
• encouraged student self-reflection
• administered formal assessment tasks.

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