4th Grade Earth & Space Science Lesson
Power Up Pleasantville: Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy for Our Town
Shared by A STEM Educator
4th GradeBTC Style / Thinking Classrooms4-ESS3-150 min
Learning Objective
Students will be able to classify energy sources as renewable or nonrenewable, explain the key differences between them, and use evidence to recommend an energy plan for a town's needs.
Lesson Overview
Students progress from identifying basic energy sources to evaluating and justifying energy choices for a fictional town's infrastructure, using thin-sliced tasks that add one layer of complexity at a time. A cross-group competition format drives engagement throughout.
Materials
- Vertical whiteboards or large chart paper
- Dry-erase markers (multiple colors per group)
- Pleasantville Energy Planning Cards (teacher-printed)
- Sticky notes (2 colors per group)
- Random grouping cards
- Competition scoreboard (large poster or projected)
- Timer (visible to class)
Scaffolded Task Progression
1Task 1
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 1 — SORT IT OUT!
Here is a list of energy sources Pleasantville is considering:
• Coal
• Sunlight
• Wind
• Natural gas
• Oil
• Moving water (rivers)
On your whiteboard, draw TWO columns:
| RENEWABLE | NONRENEWABLE |
Sort each energy source into the correct column. Be ready to explain your choices to earn the bonus point!
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
Here is a list of energy sources Pleasantville is considering:
• Coal
• Sunlight
• Wind
• Natural gas
• Oil
• Moving water (rivers)
On your whiteboard, draw TWO columns:
| RENEWABLE | NONRENEWABLE |
Sort each energy source into the correct column. Be ready to explain your choices to earn the bonus point!
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
2Task 2
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 2 — WHAT MAKES IT RENEWABLE?
The mayor wants to understand WHY some sources are renewable and others are not. On your whiteboard, complete this sentence for EACH energy source from Task 1:
'[Energy source] is [renewable / nonrenewable] because _____.'
Write at least ONE sentence for every source. Use the word 'replaced' or 'runs out' in each sentence.
Bonus point: Which nonrenewable source do you think Pleasantville uses the MOST right now? Why?
The mayor wants to understand WHY some sources are renewable and others are not. On your whiteboard, complete this sentence for EACH energy source from Task 1:
'[Energy source] is [renewable / nonrenewable] because _____.'
Write at least ONE sentence for every source. Use the word 'replaced' or 'runs out' in each sentence.
Bonus point: Which nonrenewable source do you think Pleasantville uses the MOST right now? Why?
3Task 3
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 3 — PROS AND CONS FOR THE TOWN
Pleasantville is choosing between TWO energy sources for its new power plant:
• Option A: Coal (nonrenewable)
• Option B: Wind turbines (renewable)
On your whiteboard, create a T-chart:
| COAL — Pros | COAL — Cons |
| WIND — Pros | WIND — Cons |
List at least 2 pros and 2 cons for EACH. Think about: cost, environment, reliability, and supply.
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
Pleasantville is choosing between TWO energy sources for its new power plant:
• Option A: Coal (nonrenewable)
• Option B: Wind turbines (renewable)
On your whiteboard, create a T-chart:
| COAL — Pros | COAL — Cons |
| WIND — Pros | WIND — Cons |
List at least 2 pros and 2 cons for EACH. Think about: cost, environment, reliability, and supply.
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
4Task 4
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 4 — MATCH THE SOURCE TO THE NEED
Pleasantville has THREE specific energy needs. Match each need to the BEST energy source from the box and explain why.
Needs:
1. The hospital — must have power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no exceptions.
2. The town park — needs lights for a few hours each evening.
3. The water treatment plant — runs a large pump all day using river flow nearby.
Energy Source Box: [ Solar panels | Hydropower (river) | Natural gas generator ]
On your whiteboard: Write the match AND one sentence explaining your reasoning for each.
Pleasantville has THREE specific energy needs. Match each need to the BEST energy source from the box and explain why.
Needs:
1. The hospital — must have power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no exceptions.
2. The town park — needs lights for a few hours each evening.
3. The water treatment plant — runs a large pump all day using river flow nearby.
Energy Source Box: [ Solar panels | Hydropower (river) | Natural gas generator ]
On your whiteboard: Write the match AND one sentence explaining your reasoning for each.
5Task 5
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 5 — THE ENERGY BUDGET PROBLEM
Pleasantville has a budget of 10 Energy Credits to spend on power sources. Each source costs a different amount AND produces different amounts of power:
Challenge: Choose a combination of sources that:
✅ Costs exactly 10 credits
✅ Includes AT LEAST ONE renewable source
✅ Produces at least HIGH + MEDIUM total output
On your whiteboard: Show your combination, total cost, and a one-sentence justification.
Pleasantville has a budget of 10 Energy Credits to spend on power sources. Each source costs a different amount AND produces different amounts of power:
| Source | Cost (credits) | Power Output | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal plant | 3 | HIGH | Nonrenewable |
| Solar farm | 4 | MEDIUM | Renewable |
| Wind turbines | 3 | MEDIUM | Renewable |
| Hydropower | 5 | HIGH | Renewable |
| Natural gas | 2 | HIGH | Nonrenewable |
Challenge: Choose a combination of sources that:
✅ Costs exactly 10 credits
✅ Includes AT LEAST ONE renewable source
✅ Produces at least HIGH + MEDIUM total output
On your whiteboard: Show your combination, total cost, and a one-sentence justification.
6Task 6
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 6 — THE TOWN COUNCIL DEBATE
The town council is divided. Councilmember A says:
'We should use ONLY nonrenewable energy — it's reliable and we know it works!'
Councilmember B says:
'We should use ONLY renewable energy — it's better for the planet!'
Your group must write a REBUTTAL to BOTH councilmembers.
On your whiteboard:
1. Write one piece of EVIDENCE that proves Councilmember A is wrong or incomplete.
2. Write one piece of EVIDENCE that proves Councilmember B is wrong or incomplete.
3. Write YOUR group's recommendation: What should Pleasantville actually do? (Use the word 'because' at least twice.)
Bonus point: Use a specific example from Tasks 1-5 to support your recommendation.
The town council is divided. Councilmember A says:
'We should use ONLY nonrenewable energy — it's reliable and we know it works!'
Councilmember B says:
'We should use ONLY renewable energy — it's better for the planet!'
Your group must write a REBUTTAL to BOTH councilmembers.
On your whiteboard:
1. Write one piece of EVIDENCE that proves Councilmember A is wrong or incomplete.
2. Write one piece of EVIDENCE that proves Councilmember B is wrong or incomplete.
3. Write YOUR group's recommendation: What should Pleasantville actually do? (Use the word 'because' at least twice.)
Bonus point: Use a specific example from Tasks 1-5 to support your recommendation.
7Task 7
PLEASANTVILLE TASK 7 — DESIGN THE ENERGY PLAN (CEILING CHALLENGE)
You are presenting your final energy plan to the mayor of Pleasantville. On your whiteboard, create a MINI ENERGY PLAN that includes ALL of the following:
🏙️ PLEASANTVILLE ENERGY PLAN
1. List the energy sources you recommend (at least 3, must include renewable AND nonrenewable).
2. Assign each source to a specific town location or use (hospital, school, park, homes, factory).
3. For EACH source, write: Is it renewable or nonrenewable? One pro. One con.
4. Write a 2-sentence CONCLUSION explaining why your plan is the BEST choice for Pleasantville's future.
The group with the most complete AND most convincing plan wins the consulting contract — and the competition!
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
You are presenting your final energy plan to the mayor of Pleasantville. On your whiteboard, create a MINI ENERGY PLAN that includes ALL of the following:
🏙️ PLEASANTVILLE ENERGY PLAN
1. List the energy sources you recommend (at least 3, must include renewable AND nonrenewable).
2. Assign each source to a specific town location or use (hospital, school, park, homes, factory).
3. For EACH source, write: Is it renewable or nonrenewable? One pro. One con.
4. Write a 2-sentence CONCLUSION explaining why your plan is the BEST choice for Pleasantville's future.
The group with the most complete AND most convincing plan wins the consulting contract — and the competition!
[ Interactive graph / diagram, available in the full lesson ]
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