The document discusses investigating different perspectives on wind power. It provides learning goals around gathering information to understand various viewpoints and how groups may differ in their interpretations. It then presents an anticipation guide asking readers their initial thoughts on wind energy. An inquiry question is posed about the advantages and disadvantages of wind power. The next sections provide background on wind power historically and currently, along with advantages like being renewable and clean. Disadvantages discussed include intermittency, noise, wildlife risks, land use concerns, and financial costs.

1. Investigating Different
Perspectives

2. Learning Goals
● We are learning to gather a variety of information and analyze a source to
determine perspectives
● We are learning to show how and why this development/event/ issue has
different meaning and significance for different people and groups
● We are learning to compare and contrast how different groups may view and
interpret the same development/event/issue
● We are learning to determine how relationships can be helpful and/or
harmful in relation to the natural and /or human environment

3. Prior Knowledge - Anticipation Guide
Choose True or False for each statement based
on your background knowledge of wind energy.

4. Green Neighbours collide over wind power project
❏ What do you think this headline
means?
❏ What do you think the problem
might have been?
❏ What do you think “Green
Neighbours” mean?
❏ What do you know about wind
energy?

5. Inquiry Question
❏ What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?
Conducting an inquiry on a topic
- Ask relevant questions
- Collect and organize information

6. Making jot notes
Make jot notes as you read the article summary.
The Inquiry Process
- Ask relevant questions
- Collect and organize
information

7. Thinking about the issue
❏ What did you learn about wind
power from this section of the
article?
❏ Are different perspectives or
points of view presented?

8. Wind Power
Wind power has been used for centuries - to sail ships, grind grains, dry clothes
and pump water.
Wind power can be used to create mechanical energy. It can be used to generate
electricity. Today, wind turbines are used to catch the wind’s energy, then
transfer it to generators. The generators can be stand alone or connected to a
power grid.
Wind farms, consisting of a number of turbines close together are used by power
utilities. There are more than 30 such operations in Ontario.

9. Advantages of wind energy
❏ it is a renewable sources with an unlimited supply
❏ it is clean, producing no greenhouse gases
❏ there is no monetary cost for using it
Close up of a wind turbine

10. Disadvantages of wind energy
❏ wind power may be intermittent, producing no power on calm days
❏ noise (from turning rotor blades)
❏ risks to wildlife (particularly birds)
❏ land use concerns
❏ start-up and operation costs involved in
setting up and maintaining the farms