Green home

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/green-home

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the water management systems?Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, low-flow fixtures, and water-efficient landscaping
2. How do green homes save energy?They use special windows, good insulation, and natural light to keep the house warm or cool. Some have solar panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
3. Why are green homes good for the planet?They use less power and water, which helps stop pollution and keeps our planet healthy. They also use recycled or sustainably grown materials, so we don’t cut too many trees.

Embodied Energy: The total energy required to extract raw materials and manufacture, transport, and install building materials.
Net-Zero Energy Home: A highly energy-efficient home that produces as much renewable energy as it consumes over the course of a year.
Passive Design: Architectural strategies that use natural forces like sunlight and wind to heat, cool, and light a building, reducing mechanical system reliance.