Physical Science: Electric Circuits
Unifying Concept: Order and Organization of Systems
All forms of energy involve a system that is capable of exerting a force. A
system will not work correctly if one of the components is missing, broken,
worn-out, mismatched, or misconnected.
Lesson 1: Thinking About Electricity and Its Properties
• Notebook Writing: Pre-Unit Assessment (Teacher’s Guide, Unit Investigations p.3)
• Reading: “Electricity: Good News, Bad News” (Electric Circuit Reader p.29)
• Reading: “The ‘Never’ Rules” (Electric Circuit Reader p.31)
• Technology: www.d11.org/science Hands On Science, Teacher Resources, Electric Circuits
• Technology: Video: “Electricity: A First Look” (MediaNet order no. 93008, VH)
• Additional Activity: Safety Issues (TG Unit Investigations p.16-17)
Lesson 2: What Electricity Can Do
• Notebook Writing: “Write About Life Without Electricity” (TG, Unit Investigations p.5)
• Reading: “Where Does Electricity Come From?” Electric Circuit Reader p.24-28)
• Math: Electric Meter Mystery, Electric Circuit Reader p.34-35)
• Technology: www.electricuniverse.com Louie’s Space
• Technology: Video “I’m No Fool With Electricity” (MediaNet order no. 25352,VH)
• Additional Activity: “Static Tricks” (Electric Circuit Reader p.60-61)
Submitted by Elsa Harridge and Leigh Slimp-Virgo – June, 2007
Lesson 3: A Closer Look at Circuits,
• Notebook Writing: Prediction for Battery-Bulb-Connectors Arrangement and Explanation (TG Unit
Investigations p.19)
• Reading: “Living with Electricity” (Electric Circuit Reader p.32-33)
• Technology: www.bbc.co.uk/schools.com Science, Circuits and Conductors
• Technology: Video: “Electrical Circuits: You Can Do It” (MediaNet order no. 23701, VH)
Lesson 4: What Is Inside a Light Bulb?
• Notebook Writing: Constructed Response A, “Simple Complete and Incomplete Circuits”
(Embedded Assessment Package p.5)
• Reading: What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz
• Reading: “Inventors” Electric Circuit Reader p.6-22)
• Math: “Discoveries in Using Electric Energy” Timeline of Electric and Magnetic Power (Electric
and Magnetic Power Leveled Reader p.22)
• Technology: Video “What Is Electricity?” (MediaNet order no. 25215, VH)
• Additional Activity: Research Topic “Inventions of Thomas Edison” (TG Unit Investigations p.24)
Lesson 5: Building a Circuit
• Reading: “Types of Circuits” (Electricity and Magnetism Leveled Reader p.8-9)
• Technology: Video “All About Electricity” (MediaNet order no. 30893, VH)
Submitted by Elsa Harridge and Leigh Slimp-Virgo – June, 2007
Lesson 6: What’s Wrong with the Circuit?
• Notebook Writing: “Write about Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting” (TG Unit Investigations
p.36)
Lesson 7: Conductors and Insulators
• Notebook Writing: “Prediction Chart for Conductors and Insulators” (TG Unit Investigations p.42)
• Reading: “The Movement of Electrical Charges” Electricity and Magnetism Leveled Reader p.8-9)
• Technology: www.fossweb.com , Grades 3-6, Magnetism and Electricity
Lesson 8: Making a Filament
• Notebook Writing: Constructed Response B, “Tracing the Path of a Complete Circuit” (Embedded
Assessment Package p.66)
• Reading: “What Is the Best Bulb?” (Electric Circuit Reader p.36-38)
Lesson 9: Hidden Circuits
• Math: “Question and Answer Boards with Math Concepts” (TG Unit Investigations p.51)
• Technology: Video “Elementary Electricity” (MediaNet order no. 26815, VH)
Submitted by Elsa Harridge and Leigh Slimp-Virgo – June, 2007
Lesson 10: Deciphering a Secret Language
• Notebook Writing: Constructed Response C, “Making Circuit Diagrams with Symbols” (Embedded
Assessment Package p.76)
• Additional Activity: “A Secret Language” (TG Unit Investigations p.56)
Lesson 11: Exploring Series and Parallel Circuits
• Technology: Video “The Magic School Bus Getting Energized” (MediaNet order no. 92166,
VH)
Lesson 12: Learning About Switches
• Notebook Writing: Constructed Response D, “Inventing a Different Switch” (Embedded
Assessment Package p.87)
Lesson 13: Constructing a Flashlight
Submitted by Elsa Harridge and Leigh Slimp-Virgo – June, 2007
Lesson 14: Working with a Diode
• Reading: Introduction to Electronics by Pam Beasant
• Additional Activity: “Making Simple Electronic Devices from Kits” (TG Unit Investigations,
extension 2 p.75)
Lesson 15: Planning to Wire a House
Lesson 16: Wiring a House
• Performance Assessment: “House Wiring”, Performance Assessment Task Tab, (Embedded
Assessment Package p.11-20, Teacher Rubrics p.21-23, Student Rubrics p.40-42)
Lesson 17: Post-Unit Assessment
• Additional Assessment Activities: Assessment 1 (TG Student Assessment tab p.20),
Assessment 2 (TG Student Assessment tab p.21), Assessment 3 (TG Student Assessment
tab p.21-25)
Submitted by Elsa Harridge and Leigh Slimp-Virgo – June, 2007