Electricity Lessons

electricity

lesson plan

Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
1	Opening Activity: What is electricity? Where do you find it? Brainstorm ideas and record for future reference. ( Concept map whole group, small groups or individual Use magazines to find pictures connected with electricity.	Examine prior learning (Click here for an example of a Year 2 concept map)	Share and discuss concept maps with larger group. Share and discuss pictures.	FOUND MATERIALS balloons variety of different papers tissues handkerchiefs plastic spoons plastic combs lambswool variety of different materials alfoil plastic tubing TEXTS refer to school library. FOUND MATERIALS variety of torches variety of switches on torches batteries FOUND MATERIALS batteries bulbs. bulb holders wires of different lengths and colours alligator clips on some wires alfoil	1, 2	Thinking: Uses thinking for scenario-building, problem-solving, and exploring possibilities.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
2	Exploratory Activity 1 Investigating torches as a source of light energy. Provide students with a variety of torches. Investigate the torch to find out how the torch works. Where does the light come from? How does the switch work? What will we find inside the torch? Can you reassemble the torch to make it work?	Knowledge and understanding of static electricity. Knowledge and understanding of the variety of materials which can be used effectively.	Discuss what you found out. Record your hypotheses. Record your findings. What did you notice? Why did it happen? ( Click here to see pro forma used with both a Reception and a Year 2 class )	as above	2, 6	Thinking: Uses thinking for scenario-building, problem-solving, and exploring possibilities. Communicating: Communicates findings both orally and diagrammatically.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
3	Exploratory Activity 2 Investigating torches as a source of light energy. Provide students with a variety of torches. Investigate the torch to find out how the torch works. Where does the light come from? How does the switch work? What will we find inside the torch? Can you reassemble the torch to make it work?	Knowledge of batteries as a source of electrical energy.	Draw your torch to demonstrate how it works. ( Click here to see some examples from Reception and Year2 students )	as above	2	Communicating: Communicates findings about the torch both orally and pictorially.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
4	Investigative Activity 1 Can you make an electrical circuit work using batteries, bulbs and wire? Show how many different ways you can make your circuit work. Useful investigative questions that you might encourage students to use. What will happen if you use wire of a different length? Does the bulb light up if the wire is a different colour? If you use two batteries will it make any difference? Can you light up 2 bulbs at the same time? What if you use a different bulb? Does it make a difference when you use a different battery?	A closed circuit is needed to make the light a work.	Children draw a picture to demonstrate their circuit(s). Children individually, in pairs or in small groups, demonstrate what they have found out about circuits. Teacher may make anecdotal assessment notes. ( Click here to see an example from Reception and Year 2 students. )	as above	3,6,7	Communicating: Communicates findings about circuits both orally and pictorially. Thinking: Uses thinking to generate ideas and solutions.

Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
5	Investigative Activity 2 Students are encouraged to use the knowledge gained about circuits to plan an activity that uses this knowledge. This is a good time to integrate Science with other curriculum areas. Some ideas may be Design and make a lighthouse with a working light. Design and make a Christmas card which lights up. Design and make a game for younger students which lights up with the correct answer.	How to make an electrical circuit.	Share completed models with other students in the class or a younger class.	FOUND MATERIALS batteries bulbs wires sticky tape or masking tape assorted boxes and materials for making the model	3,7	Thinking: Uses thinking to generate ideas and solutions. Is resourceful and able to think expansively in ways that are open-ended.
Lesson	Student Activities	Content Knowledge	Assessment Activities	Resources	SACSA Links
					Key Competencies	Essential Learnings
6	Reflective Activity Revisit original concept map. Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning by giving a written or oral presentation to their peers.	How to make an electrical circuit. How to use this knowledge in an application of their choice.	Students are encouraged to address issues showing what they have learnt, how and why they carried out their investigations and what they might do differently next time.	as above	2	Thinking: Uses thinking to demonstrate key competencies in critical reflection and analysis, planning and organising, testing solutions and applying new knowledge. Communicating: Uses language effectively to communicate ideas, information and emotions.