Picture Book Science Lesson: Wind Energy

This is the second post in my new blog series, Picture Book Science Lessons.  Each post contains a favorite picture book for teaching science concepts and activity ideas to accompany the book.  This post contains affiliate links.

Topics: Wind Energy, Renewable Resources

Focus: What a cool story!  This narrative tells the true story of a community on a small island in Denmark that worked together for energy independence.  The people on the island are reluctant to change their ways at first, but then a power outage convinces them to try new sources of energy!

Title: Energy Island by Allan Drummond

Discussion Questions

After reading the text aloud to students, have a group discussion or mini-discussions in small groups.

• What other forms of renewable energy did the residents of Sanso use?
• Why did the residents choose not to rely on fossil fuels?
• What type of renewable energy is most available in your region?  What could your community do to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels?

Build a Windmill

There are quite a few kits and websites out there with instructions on how to build windmills or wind turbines.  See what your students come up with!

Problem and Solution

Students identify what the story’s problem and how it was resolved using the printable or in notebooks.