How Do You Assess Understanding of Forms of Energy Without a Worksheet?
As a classroom educator myself, I understand the need to have active participation and application of the concepts in a science classroom. Teaching science with cartoons is one thing, but how do you assess understanding?
I always try to make every supplemental activity as “cartoony” as possible. Whether it is guided notes or follow-up activities, my goal is to maintain the comic feel throughout. As much as possible, I encourage students to draw concepts because this activates another aspect of the brain and improves retention.
Children naturally gravitate toward comics and cartoons. It does not matter if it is a reading passage or a worksheet, cartoons rope children in and result in an increased willingness to participate.
It is possible to teach forms of energy without a worksheet. Comic-style guided notes, follow-up questions, and hands-on activities will not only allow you to assess understanding, but they also make the learning process fun.
Building a 4th-Grade Science Forms of Energy Unit with Science Cartoons
It all began with a request for a science cartoon on thermal mass. As I researched the NGSS Standards and accompanying energy transfer topics, I realized I had to create a full 4th-grade science unit. The concepts needed to be broken down into manageable chunks resulting in a strong foundational understanding of energy and energy transfer. These “chunks” are designed to answer questions that will create this solid foundation.
What is Energy?
A huge part of 4th-grade NGSS Standards focuses on energy, and students must understand this science concept first. Science cartoons can help students visualize the differences between thermal, sound, light, electrical, and mechanical energy. This is where a forms of energy worksheet may seem effective, and maintaining the science cartoon format will help increase engagement.
What is Energy Transfer?
The next stage of this unit helps 4th-graders grasp the idea that energy can be transferred. While it may seem like it just vanishes, energy is always conserved. If we want to ensure retention, students need to observe relatable examples and participate in hands-on learning. In the science cartoon I have created, readers can observe a wide range of real-world examples of energy transfer.
How Does Heat Transfer From Hot to Cold?
The next step to understanding the concept of thermal mass is learning about thermal energy transfer. It is likely students experience heat transfer all of the time, but never actually pause to observe it. This is. another area where science cartoons can be more effective than worksheets. Cartoons tap into the power of visual learning and make reading FUN.
What Factors Affect the Rate of Thermal Energy Transfer?
This is the final pillar in understanding thermal mass. While this aspect of the lesson falls under the NGSS Standards for middle school, science cartoons will make the information accessible to the younger learners. This is where a forms of worksheet will falls short. Science cartoons make it possible to understand more complex topics.
Check out the Full Library of Physical Science Cartoons
For some reason, physical science is my sweet spot. This library of comic-style science cartoons is always growing. Full of hands-on learning and projects, this library offers a wide selection of complete lesson plans making it EASY for you to teach the concepts.
Check Out More Comic-Style Science Cartoons
Physical science is not my only medium. Since I teach both 7th and 8th-grade science, Cool School Comics touches on a wide range of subject matter. Whether you teach Earth science, life science, or even math, there are plenty of comics to help you succeed in your classroom.
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