In this activity, students will read a digital book, Sven's Search for Clean Energy, then write a persuasive letter to their energy minister about renewable energy sources.
Students will have the chance to practice writing a letter and learn about renewable energy.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The teacher's guide is well organized and easy to use.
This activity brings together multiple academic subjects, including science, civics, reading, and writing.
Additional Prerequisites
Students will need to know how to write a formal letter.
Teachers may want to review note-taking skills with students so they can take notes as they read the book.
Teachers can display the digital book on a projector, allow students to read the book on individual devices, or print the book for students to read.
Differentiation
Students could look up information about their government representatives and how to contact them. They could send their letters (traditional mail or email) to multiple politicians at the local, state, or national levels.
In art classes, students could make artwork to illustrate the points that they made in their letters. Students could mail their artwork along with their letters.
This resource is activity-based and it can inspire students to learn writing skills, especially in seeking environmental justice and clean energy. This is recommended for teaching.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.1.6-8 Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.
D2.Civ.10.6-8 Explain the relevance of personal interests and perspectives, civic virtues, and democratic principles when people address issues and problems in government and civil society.
D2.Civ.1.3-5 Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government officials at various levels and branches of government and in different times and places.
D2.Civ.13.3-5 Explain how policies are developed to address public problems.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
4-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
5-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Foundational Skills (K-5)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
Writing (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
