Science SCI.IV.1.4
Strand:
Grade: 4th
Using Scientific Knowledge in Physical Science
- Changes in Matter
Standard:
All students will explain how electricity and magnetism interact with matter.
Benchmark:
Construct simple, useful electrical circuits.
Constructing and Reflecting:
SCI.I.1.1 - Generate reasonable questions about the world based on observation.
SCI.I.1.2 - Develop solutions to problems through reasoning, observation, and investigation.
SCI.I.1.3 - Manipulate simple devices that aid observation and data collection.
SCI.I.1.4 - Use simple measurement devices to make measurements in scientific investigations.
SCI.II.1.1 - Develop an awareness of the need for evidence in making decisions scientifically.
SCI.II.1.3 - Describe ways in which technology is used in everyday life.
SCI.II.1.4 - Develop an awareness of and sensitivity to the natural world.
SCI.II.1.5 - Develop an awareness of contributions made to science by people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Vocabulary / Key Concept
Context
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Flashlights and battery-powered toys.
Complete loop
Batteries
Bulbs
Bells
Motors
Wires
Electrical switches
Knowledge and Skills
Students will construct a complete circuit. The
circuit will include a pathway from the battery, to
wire, to bulb or bell, to wire, then back to the
battery.
Resources
Coloma Resources:
“Circuit Wizards” – Science Olympiad activity
See attached sheets (will require a formal
rubric for scoring)
Other Resources:
Teachers’ Domain – Lesson Plan – Electric
Circuits – AWESOME site with
OUTSTANDING resources – video clips,
teacher notes, and complete lesson plans –
HIGHLY Recommended!
http://www.teachersdomain.org/35/sci/phys/mfe/lp_electric/index.html
Electricity and Magnetism – experiments for 4th
Grade – Hands on Technology – includes
teacher notes and extensions for a NICE
variety of simple activities to demonstrate
principles.
http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/index.shtml
The Exploratorium – Snacks about Electricity –
fun and simple activities to explore electricity –
EXCELLENT!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/iconelectr
icity.html
SMILE Physics – Electricity and Magnetism –
Extensive and OUTSTANDING selection of
labs and activities – IL Institute of Tech.
http://www.iit.edu/~smile/physinde.html#p4
The Shocking Truth about Electricity –
ThinkQuest winner – AWESOME!
http://library.thinkquest.org/6064/
The Electric Pickle – Excellent teacher demo
(very impressive) with lots of explanation for
how the phenomena actually works.
http://www.discoverchemistry.com/dcv2docroot/student/fun_stuff/electric_pickle/default
.html
Instruction
Benchmark Question: What are electrical circuits?
Assessment
Coloma Assessment:
BCISD assessment. See below
Focus Question: How do you build an electrical
circuit?
Using a battery, wire, bulb or bell, students will
construct a circuit. To show the complete pathway
students may choose to draw and label a diagram,
or explain to a peer the circuit created.
Students will create an incomplete circuit for another
student to explain and demonstrate “What is wrong
with this?”
Invite and electrician or electrical inspector to the
classroom for a presentation directed toward:
• Safety considerations
• Tools of trade
• Education and training needed
• Local items of interest
Optional Assessment:
Using any of the following items, the student
will create a useful electrical circuit:
battery, wire, aluminum foil, masking tape,
socket, bulb, bell, paper clip or brad.
Student successfully creating electrical
circuit meets the standard.
Teacher Notes:
Explain how electricity (and magnetism) interact with matter.
All students should know safety precautions about electricity. Beginning in the third and fourth grade, students
should be constructing simple and useful electrical circuits. They should be able to understand how a flashlight
works. In the middle school, the building of simple circuits is explained in terms of flow of current. Students
also move beyond looking at battery powered toys to explaining how electrical devices such as radios and
stereo systems work using appropriate safety precautions. Finally, at the high school level students will explain
how current is controlled in simple, series and parallel circuits. They also will consider the interaction of wires
and magnets to produce electric currents.
Science Olympiad
Electric Mystery Cards
Circuit Wizardry
Materials:
One piece aluminum foil
Two 4 x 6 cards, one having 6 pre-punched holes
Scotch tape
Flashlight bulb with bulb holder
“D” battery
Three 8-inch wires (18-20 gauge)
One instruction and diagram sheet
One pencil
Directions:
Tape the two 4 x 6 cards together on the long side so the numbered holes are up. Take the aluminum
foil and tape a strip of it to the bottom card so that the foil connects two of the holes. Do not twist the
foil. When taping do not let the tape cover the area over the hole. This will insulate the conductor and
no current will flow. You may want to connect one or two more pairs of holes. All holes must have
aluminum foil underneath them. When you are finished making your Mystery Card, give it to another
person in your group to test.
Testing the Cards:
You will test the cards for the pairs of holes that are connected with foil. Do not open the card you are
testing. Use 3 wired, a bulb holder with a bulb, and a battery. Tape the wires to the battery, 1 wire on
the positive end and the other wire on the negative end. Connect 1 wire to the bulb holder and take 1
of the 2 wires from the battery and connect it to the bulb holder. With 2 wires, one from the battery
and the other from the bulb, touch the pairs of holes indicated in the chart. Record your results. From
your record, draw lines on the diagram A, where you think the aluminum foil has connected the holes.
Now open the card. Record how the aluminum foil actually connects the holes on diagram B.
Scoring Rubric
Section
Card system preparation
Identification of the circuit
pattern of the card system.
Completion of Report Sheet
(Attached)
Points
35 A well prepared
card system.
30 Correctly
identified circuit
pattern.
35 Accurate and
complete Report
Sheet
100 points
Points
25 Effort made but
errors
20 Effort made but
errors
Points
15 Little effort
not useable
10 Little effort
not useable
25 Effort made but
errors
15 Little effort
not useable
Fill Out The Report Sheet Completely
1. How can you find out where the aluminum foil connects the numbered holes?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. How would you find out if hole #1 and hole #2 were connected?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Test all the possible pairs and record results in the chart.
Pairs
Does Bulb Light?
(yes/no)
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
___________
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5
1-6
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
Pairs
Does Bulb Light?
(yes/no)
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
2-7
3-4
3-5
3-6
4-5
4-6
4-7
4. Use your observations and draw lines on diagram “A” where you think the aluminum foil
is connecting the pairs of holes.
3
4
2
5
1
6
Diagram “A”
5.
3
4
2
5
1
6
Diagram “B”
On diagram “B”, draw the pattern of aluminum as it actually is on the card.
6. How do diagrams “A” and “B” compare? ______________________________________
________________________________________________________________________