Energy Debate Prompts

This worksheet engages students in Grades 5 and 6 in a structured debate about renewable versus nonrenewable energy, blending environmental science with persuasive writing and critical thinking. Students choose a position, respond to guided prompts using facts and reasoning, and analyze environmental, economic, and long-term impacts of energy choices while strengthening argumentation and evidence-based explanation skills.

Instructional Objectives

• Argumentative Writing (Grades 5-6) – Students write short, persuasive responses supported by facts and logical reasoning.
• Energy Resource Evaluation – Learners analyze strengths and weaknesses of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
• Multiple Perspectives – Students consider environmental, economic, and future impacts when forming and defending an argument.
• Flexible Thinking – A reflection prompt challenges students to switch sides and recognize valid points in the opposing argument.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Developed by educators to support upper-elementary writing and environmental science standards.
• Structured Debate Format – Clear prompts guide students through claim, evidence, and explanation.
• Cross-Curricular Application – Integrates science content with persuasive and argumentative writing skills.
• Discussion-Ready – Works well for independent writing, partner debates, small groups, or whole-class discussions.

This energy debate prompts worksheet helps students strengthen science literacy, persuasive writing, and critical thinking by exploring real-world energy decisions from multiple viewpoints. By defending a position and then reconsidering the opposing side, students develop deeper understanding of renewable and nonrenewable energy trade-offs, environmental impact, and long-term resource use. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this printable resource provides meaningful, low-prep practice that encourages thoughtful, informed discussion about the future of energy.

This worksheet is part of our Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources Worksheets collection.