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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes

Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

Electricity and magnetism

CCSS NGSS.4-PS3-2England: KS2 Y4 Electricity

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Simple circuits

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs), Circuit symbol cards, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • 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 changes the battery / It makes the bulb brighter / It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on / It stores electricity) → 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? (An open switch stops the current. / 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.) → 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 / an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back / two cells with no wires / one wire from the cell to the bulb) → an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and backPrompt: Electricity needs a complete path.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
  • Share the objective: Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: electric oven?
  • Step 1: These need a lot of energy, so they plug into the mains.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
  • Answer: mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: electric oven? (mains electricity (plugged into the wall) / batteries (cells)) → mains electricity (plugged into the wall)Prompt: Is it plugged into a wall socket, or carried around?
  2. Why do plugs and cables have plastic or rubber coverings? (To keep them warm. / Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks. / To make them heavier. / Plastic conducts electricity better.) → Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.Prompt: Which materials stop current flowing?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • 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.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. True or false? You should never poke anything into a plug socket. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Think about voltage, water and damaged cables.
  2. Why do plugs and cables have plastic or rubber coverings? (Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks. / To make them heavier. / To keep them warm. / Plastic conducts electricity better.) → Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.Prompt: Which materials stop current flowing?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Simple circuits.
  • Use concrete materials: circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-4.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: kettle?

    • A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
    • B. batteries (cells)

  2. Question 2

    True or false? Mains electricity can kill, so it must be treated with care.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  3. Question 3

    Why is mains electricity more dangerous than a torch (flashlight) battery?

    • A. It is a different colour.
    • B. Mains electricity is cold.
    • C. Its much higher voltage can push a deadly current through your body.
    • D. Batteries have no electricity.

  4. Question 4

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: fridge?

    • A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
    • B. batteries (cells)

  5. Question 5

    Which is the safest thing to do if an appliance's cable is frayed?

    • A. Pull the wires apart.
    • B. Keep using it carefully.
    • C. Wrap it in wet paper.
    • D. Stop using it and tell an adult.

  6. Question 6

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: torch (flashlight)?

    • A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
    • B. batteries (cells)

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Answer key: Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

  1. 1. A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)

  2. 2. A. True

  3. 3. C. Its much higher voltage can push a deadly current through your body.

  4. 4. A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)

  5. 5. D. Stop using it and tell an adult.

  6. 6. B. batteries (cells)