Physics: Unit 2 Energy and the Environment

Stage 1 Desired Results

Established Goals

ME.2.A.d
Describe sources and
common uses of different
forms of energy.
ME.2.F.c
Classify ways to store
energy and describe how
energy is transferred from
one form to another while
the total amount of
energy always remains
constant.
ES.3.A.b
Identify human activities
that adversely affect the
environment.
ES.3.A.a & ME.2.A.e
Distinguish between
renewable and
nonrenewable energy
sources. Identifying the
advantages and
disadvantages of each.

Transfer
Students will be able to independently use their learning to
Identify and describe sources of energy including their advantages and disadvantages.
Describe the flow of energy through a system as it changes from one form to another while demonstrating that the
total amount of energy remained constant.
Identify various ways humans use energy and describe how our choices in energy usage can have a negative impact
on the environment.
Meaning
UNDERSTANDINGS
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Students will understand that
Students will keep considering
Energy has a source, can be stored, and transferred.
What impact do you have on the environment?
Our decisions in what energy sources to use have
How can we overcome our dependence on
effects on our environment.
nonrenewable sources of energy?
Acquisition
Knowledge
Skills
Students will know
Students will be skilled at
Sources of energy and which are renewable and which Identifying the impact humans have on the
are nonrenewable.
environment.
The different ways energy is stored and how it
Classifying energy sources as renewable or
transfers from one form to another.
nonrenewable.
The Law of Conservation of Energy.
Defending a scientific argument.
What impact they personally have on the environment
and what impact humans collectively are having on the
environment.
Advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels,
wind power, solar power, tidal energy, geothermal
energy, hydro power, and biofuels.
Academic Vocabulary
adversely
classify
describe
distinguish
identify

Content Vocabulary
battery
biofuel
cathode
cell potential
climate
climate change
climate model
dry cell
electrical potential
electrochemical cell
electrochemical process
electrode
electrolysis
electrolytic cell
emissions
fossil fuels
Misconceptions
Individuals do not have an impact on the environment.
Current changes in climate are just part of a natural cycle in global temperatures.
Renewable energies are more costly than nonrenewable sources.
Energy is lost once it is used.
Electricity, steam, and other transporters of energy are energy sources.

Stage 2 - Evidence
Code (Priority
Standards)
ME.2.A.d
Describe
sources and
common
uses of
different
forms of
energy.

Evaluative
Criteria
Describe
renewable
and
nonrenewable sources
of energy
and patterns
of energy
use in the
US.

ES.3.A.b
Identify

human
activities that
adversely
affect the
environment.

Describe the
relationship
between
human
energy
consumption and
climate
change.

6 Faucets of Understanding
Explanation
Interpretation

Application

Perspective

Empathy

Self Knowledge

PERFORMANCE TASK(S):
Students will show that they really understand by evidence of
FAT-P for performance standards ME.2.A.d & ES.3.A.b
Prepare a presentation for a Congressional Hearing on Alternative Energy. Your presentation should be
designed to persuade congress to enact legislation that would move subsidies from oil, gas, and coal to
alternative energies like wind, solar, geothermal, etc.

OTHER EVIDENCE:
Students will show they have achieved Stage 1 goals by
Pre- and Post-Test

Continuum of Evidence
Performance Event (FAT-P)
Quizzes
Tests
Student Work Samples
Observations
Other pre- & post-test

Stage 3 Learning Plan

Code (Priority
Standard)

Pre-Assessment

Learning Events

Progress Monitoring