• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Simple circuits). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What does a switch do in a circuit? (It stores electricity / It makes the bulb brighter / It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on / It changes the battery) → It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or onPrompt: When you switch off a light, what happens to the circuit?
2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit. / Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow.) → Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?
3. Which circuit needs to be complete for a bulb to light? (a bulb on its own / two cells with no wires / an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back / one wire from the cell to the bulb) → an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and backPrompt: Electricity needs a complete path.

• Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
• Share the objective: Electrical conductors and insulators. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: If you put a wooden spoon in the gap in a circuit, would it conduct electricity or insulate?
• Step 1: Electrical insulators do not let current flow.
• Step 2: So the answer is: insulator
• Answer: insulator
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. If you put aluminium (aluminum) foil in the gap in a circuit, would it conduct electricity or insulate? (conductor / insulator) → conductorPrompt: Is it made of metal (or graphite)?
2. Why are electrical wires covered in plastic? (To make the electricity flow faster / Plastic conducts electricity better / To make the wire heavier / Plastic is an insulator, so it keeps the current in the wire and keeps us safe) → Plastic is an insulator, so it keeps the current in the wire and keeps us safePrompt: What would happen if you touched a bare live wire?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Why should you not touch switches with wet hands? (Water with dissolved substances can conduct electricity / Water makes switches stick / Wet hands are insulators / Switches are made of water) → Water with dissolved substances can conduct electricityPrompt: Tap water and sweat contain dissolved salts.
2. If you put aluminium (aluminum) foil in the gap in a circuit, would it conduct electricity or insulate? (conductor / insulator) → conductorPrompt: Is it made of metal (or graphite)?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.