Electric Circuits

Matthew Kennedy4th GradeBonjour Elementary

Electric Circuit – Background Information

• Battery = energy source• Wire = conductor• Light bulb = resistor• The flow of energy flows from the positive end

of the battery to the negative end.

Ask a Question

• Do you think that you could make this light bulb light up?– Hold up the mini-light bulb

Materials

• Harcourt Science textbook p. F10-11 “Making Light Bulbs Light Up”

• Materials needed for each group:– D-cell battery– Insulated electrical wire (at least 2)– Miniature light bulb– Tape (battery holders work best)– Paper to diagram their drawing (science notebook)– * I try to have this ready in cups.

Conduct Investigation

• At this point you can either have the students work independently or in pairs. – I prefer independent because it is a very

challenging activity.• Allow them to work for 15-20 minutes. This

part varies on their readiness and ability to figure out the activity. – They usually see another student light their bulb

and copy the strategy.

Conduct Investigation con’t.

• When they are able to make the circuit work have them draw what they did. – There is a worksheet provided in the Harcourt

Science Workbook or you can just have them diagram in a journal.

– Symbols can be found on F13 in the textbook.• If a student finishes early you can always

choose to give them another light bulb and wire.

Investigate Further

• You can have the whole class, independently or in pairs, try to light up 2 light bulbs.– They would need more wires for this.

• Give them materials to incorporate into the circuit: paper clip, nail, Styrofoam, etc.

• Follow-up this activity by reading out of the Harcourt book pages F12-15.

Investigate Further

• Airliner – search for electric circuits in the gallery. There is a simple circuit that is a good visual to use after they have done the activity.

• Check out the following website(s):– http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/electricitycircuits.html

– http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/circuitsconductors.html