GRADE 4 CURRICULUM
Unit One: Electricity and Magnetism
(10 weeks)
Overview: This unit will investigate electricity and identify a complete loop of an electrical current. Students will build a
simple circuit and discuss what is necessary to complete a circuit. The concept of insulators and conductors are introduced
in this unit. Students will learn how electricity and magnetism are used together. Students will learn about positive and
negative poles of a magnet and how they repel and attract one another.
Standards
Understandings
Essential Questions
6. Recognize that electricity in
Electricity is the result of motion from an How does electricity work?
circuits requires a complete loop
electric current.
How is electricity produced?
through which an electrical current
Static electricity comes from a buildup of How does a basic circuit work?
can pass, and that electricity can
charges.
How are conductors and insulators
produce light, heat, and sound.
There are specific characteristics that
characterized?
7. Identify and classify objects and
make some materials good conductors of What is it about magnets that make
materials that conduct electricity and electricity and other characteristics that
things cling?
objects and materials that are
make materials good insulators.
How can you make a magnet?
insulators of electricity
An electromagnetic has wire wrapped
What makes some things stick to
8. Explain how electromagnets can be around iron.
magnets and other not to stick to
made, and give examples of how they Magnetism can be used to make
magnets?
can be used
electricity.
How are magnetism and electricity
9. Recognize that magnets have poles Magnetic attraction is a force.
connected?
that repel and attract each other
Magnets have different poles.
10. Identify and classify objects and
Like charges repel and unlike charges
material that a magnet will attract
attract.
and objects and material that a
Magnets are an invisible force
magnets will not attract
Magnets can generate electricity
Magnets are made of stones that attract
iron.
GRADE 4 CURRICULUM
Earth has a magnetic field.
Misconceptions
Electricity is natural energy.
Static electricity is caused by rubbing.
Batteries have electricity.
Truths
Electricity is produced and controlled. It is the result of motion
from an electric current.
An electric current is a flow of electrons/charge.
Static results from electrons are transferred from one object to
another
Batteries have copper wires in which the electrons exist and the
copper atoms supply the flow of electrons.
Learning Outcomes
Evidence of Learning
Lab experiment rubbing balloons on hair
SWBAT identify objects that contain iron by using a
magnet.
SWBAT explain that magnets contain poles with a
positive and a negative charge.
Lab experiments designing and building simple circuit and or
electromagnet
Venn Diagram
Using bar magnets, SWBAT demonstrate that opposite
poles attract and the same poles repel.
Science journal entries for designing/constructing
electromagnets and simple circuit
SWBAT identify a complete circuit from a diagram.
Test a variety of materials with assorted magnets
SWBAT define insulator and conductor
Test materials for effectiveness as an insulator
SWBAT identify which materials conductors or
insulators based on physical characteristics
Make a magnetic compass and the student write a response about
the direction of the needle.
GRADE 4 CURRICULUM
SWBAT compare and contrast electricity and
magnetism
Invent a machine that uses electromagnets
SWBAT explain the necessary components to build a
circuit.
SWBAT draw and label a simple circuit
Supporting Technology Standards
1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task
based on a specific property, e.g., strength,
hardness, and flexibility.
1.2 Identify and explain the appropriate materials and
tools (e.g., hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape
measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical
fasteners) to construct a given prototype safely.
Vocabulary
Electricity, magnetism, electric force, electric current, electric circuit, friction, poles, fields , power source, resistor, switch,
conductor, insulator, repel, attract
Resources
www.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm
www.science.howstuffworks.com/electromagnet2.htm
www.proteacher.org
www.sciencekids.co.nz
www.barinpop.com
GRADE 4 CURRICULUM
Seeds of Science Roots of Reading: Gravity and Magnetism
Interactive Science Leveled Readers
FOSS kit: Magnetism & Electricity
Theme Sets: Using Electricity