4th Grade Science/Electricity/Conductors and Insulators
Created by: Amy Hooper
Standards Addressed: SOL 4.3 The student will investigate and understand the characteristics
of electricity. Key concepts include
a) Conductors and insulators;
Pre-Assessment: learning styles inventory
Defining the Learning Goals: What the student will:
Know (Facts/Vocabulary):
 Electrical energy moves through materials that are conductors (metals). Insulators (rubber,
plastic, wood) do not conduct electricity well.
 Among conducting materials, energy passes more or less easily because of the material’s
resistance.
Understand (Big Ideas):
 Electricity and energy are all around us. For safety, it is important that you are able to
recognize conductors and insulators when dealing with electricity.
 Electricity is a system that is governed by rules; knowing those rules can help us uncover
the value, purpose, and contributions of this resource.
Do (Specific Skills student is able to do after the lesson):
 Apply the terms insulator and conductor
 Recognize and differentiate between conductors and insulators
Materials/Supplies:
Construction paper, markers
Procedures/Activities (Include Marzano's Strategies and Bloom's Taxonomy):
 Review terms: insulator and conductor
 Give out learning styles assignments (see attached assignments)
 Students complete assignment based on learning style
(If) Differentiated Instruction:
What?
content
process
product
How?
readiness
interest
learning profile
Why (What prompted you to differentiate in this way)? This lesson is embedded within a unit.
The lesson allows for students to work within their learning styles.
HCS
Anchor Activities: Complete another learning style assignment
Post-Assessment: Completed assignment
Closure: Show/demonstrate assignment with class
Teacher Reflection:
(What went well? What would you do differently? Why?)
© Henry County Schools 2007
HCS
Learning Styles
ST: Using a T-chart,
make a list of
insulators and
conductors. You
must have at least 10
for each.
SF: Think about your
house. Write 10
examples each of
conductors and
insulators that you
could find in your
home.
NT: Use a Venn
Diagram to compare
and contrast
insulators and
conductors. Use at
least 10 examples in
your Venn-Diagram.
NF: Draw a picture
illustrating the
different types of
conductors and
insulators. Be sure to
include at least 10
examples of each.
© Henry County Schools 2007