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Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Learning Experience 4

Big Idea

Students explore the concepts and characteristics of renewable and non-renewable materials. They will discover some creative and innovative ways people are recycling and reusing products.

Summary

This Learning Experience jumps right into the Explore and Explain with a simple exploration of the terms renewable and non-renewable.

Explore and Explain

  • Turn and talk activity with questions about energy:
    • Do we all use energy? In what ways?
    • What types of energy are there?
    • Look around the room-where is energy being used right now?
    • Is energy used the same way all over the world?
  • Show the video Renewable vs Non-Renewable Energy that helps define renewable and non-renewable resources. Ask them to think about examples as they watch.

The slide deck guides the students through a discussion of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Elaborate

  • Before starting the next activity, discuss as a class the following question:
    • What is the difference between materials and resources that we found on our walk that are re-usable, can be re-purposed, compostable and recyclable and resources that are “renewable”
  • Ask students to use two sticky notes and do the following:
    • Write the name of an item that is renewable on a sticky note.
    • Write the name of an item that is nonrenewable on a sticky note
  • Place all stickies into two columns on a T-Chart created on chart paper into (LEFT: The items that are nonrenewable but are reusable, able to be repurposed, composted and recycled items; RIGHT: Renewable).
  • Compare and contrast similarities and differences between the items in both columns.
  • Are there any left?!! (nonrenewable items that cannot be reused!)
  • Identify and discuss the types and uses of Earth materials for renewable, nonrenewable, and reusable products (e.g., human-made products: concrete, paper, plastics, fabrics).
  • Based on everything students learned, and characteristics of the objects they listed as either renewable and nonrenewable resources, ask students to hypothesize in writing about whether water is a renewable or non-renewable resource based on our discussions so far. They should make a reasoned argument by drawing on the definitions and examples of renewable and non-renewable discussed throughout the activity.
  • Is water a renewable or renewable resource?

Teacher Support

Essential Question:

  • What can students do to contribute to a healthy and just Philadelphia for all Philadelphians?

Guiding Questions:

  • What does renewable mean?
  • What is a renewable resource?
  • What does non-renewable mean?
  • What is a non-renewable resource?

Students will be able to:

  • Provide examples, predict, or describe how everyday human activities may change the environment.
  • Identify products that can be recycled or reused (e.g., paper, plastic, cans, fabrics, lumber).
  • Identify the types and uses of Earth materials for renewable, nonrenewable, and reusable products (e.g., human-made products: concrete, paper, plastics, fabrics).

Renewable Resource (noun)
resource that can replenish itself at a similar rate to its use by people

Non-renewable Resource (noun)
resource which cannot be replenished relative to the human life span

Natural Resource (noun)
material or substance such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used to support other living beings

  • Provide examples, predict, or describe how everyday human activities may change the environment.
  • Identify products that can be recycled or reused (e.g., paper, plastic, cans, fabrics, lumber).
  • Identify the types and uses of Earth materials for renewable, nonrenewable, and reusable products (e.g., human-made products: concrete, paper, plastics, fabrics).

Student Materials

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