Year 6 · Autumn 1.2 · Step 5

Earth & Space

Weighing it up

Comparing renewable and non-renewable sources fairly — the strengths, the limits and the myths.

Arrival Starter I do We do Independent Exit ticket
🌱 Seedling · Working towards 🌿 Sapling · Expected 🌳 Oak · Greater depth

⏱ Whole lesson ≈ 44 min · pick a tier in the bar, or leave on "All"

Arrival 4 min

Recap of last lesson: wind power.

Recap: solar and wind

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

Name two renewable sources we've studied.

🌿 Sapling
Expected
  1. One advantage they share?
  2. One disadvantage of each?
🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Is renewable energy always better than fossil fuels? What's the catch?

Bridge into todayToday we weigh it up — comparing renewable and non-renewable, and being honest that renewables aren't perfect.
Starter 5 min

Quick recall of pros and cons so far.

Compare the sources

Renewables don't run out and make no greenhouse gases, and are now often cheaper. But they can be weather-dependent, so we still need to plan carefully.

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

Renewables do not run ____ .

🌿 Sapling
Expected

Give one strength and one limitation of renewables.

🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Why can't we rely on wind or solar alone all the time?

I do · 1 6 min

Teacher models a fair comparison, then watch.

The honest picture

▶ Can't see it? Watch "Renewable energy: comparing the sources" on YouTube

Swap the clip: change the ID after /embed/ (now VqVhL3PDUng).

Say thisRenewables win on two big things: they don't run out and make no greenhouse gases. Their limitation is being weather-dependent. Fossil fuels are reliable but run out and warm the planet.
♻️
Don't run outrenewable win
🌤️
Weather-dependentrenewable limit
💷
Now cheapermyth busted
We do · 1 6 min

Build a two-column pros/cons table together.

Strengths and limitations

♻️ don't run out · no greenhouse gases · now often cheaper  |  🌦️ weather-dependent · need space

Be balanced
Renewables are the future, but they have limits. Being honest about both sides is good science.
I do · 2 4 min

Play the animation. Bust: renewables have no downsides / are always dearer.

Weighing it up

renewable non-renewable both have pros and cons — but renewables don't run out or warm the planet

Both have pros and cons — but renewables don't run out or warm the planet.

Model the ideaRenewables are not perfect — they depend on the weather. But they are now often cheaper than fossil fuels, and they don't warm the planet. That's why the world is switching.

Watch for: "renewables have no downsides" and "renewable energy is always more expensive".

We do · 2 5 min

Sort statements: strength, limitation, or myth?

Strength, limit or myth?

Decide together
"Renewables don't run out."   "Wind only works when it's windy."   "Renewables always cost more."
A strength of renewables, a limitation, or a myth to bust?
Independent 10 min

On your own. Sort each card, then write at your tier.

Weighing-it-up sorter

💪 Strength of renewables

⚠️ Limitation of renewables

🚫 Myth to bust

Tap a card to sort it…

🌱 Seedling
Working towards

Sort the cards. Then finish: Renewables do not ____ or make greenhouse gases.

🌿 Sapling
Expected

Sort them, then write one strength and one limitation of renewables.

🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Argue whether renewables or fossil fuels are the better choice, using evidence for both sides.

Exit ticket 4 min

Answer at your tier, then hand it in.

Show what you know

🌱 Seedling
Working towards
  • Give one strength of renewables.
  • Do renewables run out?
🌿 Sapling
Expected
  • Give one limitation of renewables.
  • Are renewables always more expensive?
🌳 Oak
Greater depth

Why is it fair to say renewables are better overall, even though they aren't perfect?

TA Focus · Comparing sources
Aim for balance: renewables don't run out and make no gases, but are weather-dependent. For the sorter, ask 'is this a plus, a limit, or a myth?' Two myths: renewables have 'no downsides' and are 'always dearer' (they're now often cheaper).
Cold Call · Question bank
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