3rd Grade Flow of Energy and Cycling of Matter

3rd Grade Flow of Energy and Cycling of Matter Worksheet (Recurring Themes, TEKS 3.5E)

Students learn that energy flows from the Sun to plants to animals while matter is used again, number a Sun, grass, rabbit, and hawk food chain in the order energy moves, then decide whether energy or matter moves in each example. Simple black and white doodles and big, easy to read text keep the focus on the big idea, not the reading. No prior knowledge is needed: the page teaches the idea first.

What's Inside

• A teach strip that keeps energy and matter separate
• Part A: number a food chain 1 to 4 in the order energy moves, with the Sun done
• Part B: write E or M for four examples, with one done
• A friendly squirrel guide that points out the key idea
• A visual answer key with answers marked in red, plus a short teacher note

How Teachers Use It

Use it as a mini lesson follow up, a quick check, or a science center. It takes 6 to 8 minutes and prints clearly in black and white. The focus skill is telling the flow of energy apart from the cycling of matter, one of the grade 3 recurring themes and concepts that connect every science unit.

Why It Works

Each sheet teaches one big idea with real, everyday examples kids already know. Every activity has a done for you example, and students only circle, sort, number, or write a letter, so they can finish on their own. Wrong choices are believable, not silly, so students have to think. Pair it with the other Recurring Themes sheets to cover patterns, cause and effect, scale, systems, energy and matter, structure and function, and stability and change.