Storytime - Who Likes the Wind?

Storytime - Who Likes the Wind?
Storytime - Who Likes the Wind?
Created by
Let's Talk Science National Office
Activity Language
Bilingual
English
French
Grade
Preschool - Kindergarten,  Grades 1-3,  Grades 4-6
Time Needed for Activity
Less than 1 hour
Subjects
Earth and Environmental Sciences,  Physics
Good for Virtual Delivery
No/Low materials

Read "Who Likes the Wind?" and learn about wind and renewable energy.

This workshop consists of two parts: a reading of the "Who Likes the Wind?" by Etta Kaner followed by a hands-on activity. Using some very ordinary items at home, we're going to make a small wind turbine and discuss renewable energy, wind energy and energy input.

This storytime virtual outreach activity is split into a pre-activity document - i.e., workshop overview and list of materials with preparation instructions for both the volunteer and educator, and PowerPoint presentation with presenter notes to help lead the workshop virtually and a pinwheel template.

What You Need

For the reading:

  • "Who Likes the Wind?" by Etta Kaner

For the activity:

  • A square piece of construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pencil with an eraser on top
  • A thumbtack

Pre-Activity Document:

PowerPoint:

Safety Notes

Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe delivery of virtual outreach to youth.

What To Do

Part A: Reading of the "Who Likes the Wind?" by Etta Kaner

Part B: Doing the Activity

Constructing the Pinwheel:

  • Fold the construction paper in half diagonally, then again so that when you unfold it, the creases make a cross.
  • Cut along the creases but not all the way to the centre so that it is still in one piece.
  • Tape one corner of each of the triangular flaps to the centre of the paper. Make sure that you tape the same corner (i.e., all the left corners).
  • Pin the centre of the pinwheel to the eraser of the pencil.

Leading the Activity:

  • Ask students to list different sources of energy (i.e. wind, solar, nuclear, etc.)
  • What structure uses wind energy? Windmills
  • Explain that we are going to make pinwheels which are similar to windmills.
  • Allow them to decorate their pinwheels before construction.
  • Show them how to pin them to the pencil.
  • What energy input is needed to make the pinwheel spin? Wind energy

Discovery

For older audiences, you can discuss the pros and cons of using wind energy. You can discuss using wind energy as a renewable energy source.

Investigate Further

For older audiences, you can discuss the pros and cons of using wind energy. You can discuss using wind energy as a renewable energy source.

Resources