Comparing Energy Types

This worksheet supports students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 as they evaluate renewable and nonrenewable energy sources through structured comparison and written explanation. Learners practice critical thinking, environmental science reasoning, organization, and explanatory writing by identifying advantages and disadvantages and reflecting on long-term energy choices.

Learning Goals

• Energy Sustainability Evaluation (Grades 4-6) – Students analyze renewable and nonrenewable energy sources with a focus on long-term use and environmental impact.
• Comparing Pros and Cons – Learners list at least two advantages and two disadvantages for each energy category.
• Organizing Scientific Information – Students sort ideas into clear categories to support logical thinking and clarity.
• Future-Focused Reasoning – A reflection prompt encourages students to justify which energy type the world should rely on in the future.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper-elementary environmental science standards.
• Structured Yet Open-Ended – Provides clear expectations while allowing students to explain ideas in their own words.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Ideal for independent work, partner discussion, science notebooks, review, or assessment.
• Supports Writing & Thinking Skills – Reinforces complete sentences, reasoning, and evidence-based explanations.

This comparing energy types worksheet helps students strengthen science literacy, critical thinking, and written organization while examining real-world energy trade-offs. By weighing the pros and cons of renewable and nonrenewable resources and reflecting on future needs, students develop a deeper understanding of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this printable resource offers meaningful, low-prep practice that promotes thoughtful decision-making about energy choices.

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