6.4 Energy Bell Ringers
Bell ringers for investigating the Sun as the source of most energy on Earth, Earth’s energy budget, radiation, conduction, convection, energy transfer, and energy transformations in natural and designed systems.
6.4 Standard Focus
These bell ringers support Virginia Science SOL 6.4 by helping students track energy as it enters, moves through, leaves, and changes form within Earth systems and human-designed systems.
- Sources of energy: The Sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth.
- Earth’s energy budget: Energy entering and leaving Earth affects living systems and Earth processes.
- Energy transfer: Radiation, conduction, and convection distribute thermal energy.
- Energy transformations: Energy can change form as it is used in natural and designed systems.
Teacher tip: Use these bell ringers to help students make their thinking visible. Students should observe real phenomena, interpret models thoughtfully, trace energy through systems, and explain what a model helps show and what it simplifies.
Observe & Wonder
These bell ringers help students make 3 observations and ask 1 scientific question before they are given explanations.
Guided Bell Ringers
These bell ringers help students use observations, data visualizations, models, and energy traces to explain energy transfer and transformation.