New
New
Identifying renewable and non-renewable energy sources
I can identify renewable and non-renewable energy sources and understand the difference between them.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Identifying renewable and non-renewable energy sources
I can identify renewable and non-renewable energy sources and understand the difference between them.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The sun, directly or indirectly, is the source of nearly all energy on Earth: plants use energy to grow the food we eat.
- Non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas, and the elements uranium and plutonium.
- Renewable energy sources include solar power, wind, wave and tidal energy, hydro-electric, biomass and geothermal.
- Non-renewable sources are unsustainable, polluting and a cause of rapid climate change.
Keywords
Finite - Finite resources have a limit, or an end and will run out.
Hydro-electric - Hydro-electric power generates electricity by using water.
Geothermal - Geothermal energy comes from heat contained within the Earth's crust.
Unsustainable - An unsustainable resource is one that is being used more or faster than it can be replaced or regrown.
Common misconception
Fossil fuels (coal, gas and natural oil) are infinite.
Fossil fuels are finite - if used at the current rate, they will run out and are not sustainable.
It might help to identify everything in your classroom that uses energy.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When something is renewable, that means it will not be used up or ...
When something is renewable, that means it will not be used up or ...
run away.
run dry.
Q2.Which of these are renewable resources?
Which of these are renewable resources?
gold
coal
Q3.Match these resources to the type of natural resources they are.
Match these resources to the type of natural resources they are.
Q4.Which of these resources are metals?
Which of these resources are metals?
diamonds
oil
Q5.Resource means how resources are spread out across a geographic area.
Resource means how resources are spread out across a geographic area.
Q6.What type of energy does the sun provide as well as heat energy? Unscramble the letters to help you find the correct answer.
What type of energy does the sun provide as well as heat energy? Unscramble the letters to help you find the correct answer.
Q2 image 4 Coal, oatsy40, 2013, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.All energy on Earth comes or indirectly from the Sun.
All energy on Earth comes or indirectly from the Sun.
Q2.Where does all energy on Earth come from?
Where does all energy on Earth come from?
electricity
coal and oil
Q3.Coal has energy from the Sun. Put these sentences in order to explain how.
Coal has energy from the Sun. Put these sentences in order to explain how.
Q4.Match these resources to the types of renewable or non-renewable (finite) resources they are.
Match these resources to the types of renewable or non-renewable (finite) resources they are.
Q5.Which of these are fossil fuels?
Which of these are fossil fuels?
electricity
solar power
Q6.Biomass is a natural material that can be used as fuel. What kind of material is it? Unscramble the letters to help you answer the question.
Biomass is a natural material that can be used as fuel. What kind of material is it? Unscramble the letters to help you answer the question.
