Forms of Energy Sort for Fourth Grade Science Stations

Teach students about different types of energy with a Forms of Energy SORT aligned with the Next Generation Science Stations for Fourth Grade. In this station, students will sort the cards based on the different types of energy that each demonstrates.

Classifying forms of energy is one of the foundational concepts in the 4th grade energy standards. My physical science guide for elementary students covers the full 4th grade physical science scope, including both the energy and waves standards.

What is Included in the Forms of Energy Sort Station

Included in the Forms of Energy Sort are:

• Larger table-group color sorting cards
• Smaller cut-and-paste sort for individual students
• Differentiated questions in short-answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple-choice formats. Worksheets and task cards are included for some options.
• Answer key

Forms of Energy Sort for Table Groups

There are two ways to do this sort. One way is in table groups where students collaboratively look at the images on the sort cards and determine what form of energy each demonstrates.

There are different types of energy that students will learn about from this activity: kinetic, electrical, thermal, sound, and potential energy.

This sort has colorful image cards that students analyze and decide which type of energy each object represents. The cards have items like a whistle (sound energy), fire (thermal energy), and a fan (electrical energy).

Cut and Paste Sort Option

The second way to do the sort is a cut-and-paste option. Students can do both options: sort color option as a whole group and the cut and paste option individually. Or you can choose to have students do only one option.

The cut-and-paste option is all in black and white and in a worksheet format. After reading the informational passage, students look at the images and then sort them into the correct type of energy: kinetic, potential, electrical, thermal, or sound.

Differentiated Responses

Like all of our science stations, differentiated responses are available for students to demonstrate their understanding. Below is an example of the Short Answer worksheet. Fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice task cards are also available.

How to Purchase the Forms of Energy Science Station

This Forms of Energy Sort Science Station can be purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers. It is sold individually and as part of a whole Sorts for Fourth Grade Science Stations. Also available is a Fourth Grade NGSS Science Station BUNDLE.