Using thinking maps to understand energy conversions

 

 The first thing that we did as a class was to determine which objects could be sources of energy (potential energy) and which were energy actions (kinetic energy). On the Promethean board the students showed how the sources of energy converted energy into an action, such as light, muscle movement, or heat.

Next, the students worked in partners to organize their thinking by showing the flow of energy and conversions using several different types of sources and actions.

 Finally, using the thinking map that utilizes analogies the students worked independently to show the connections between the energy sources and the energy actions.