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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 happens if you add a second bulb in series with the first (same cell)? (Both bulbs are dimmer / Both bulbs are brighter / The cell gets stronger / Only one lights) → Both bulbs are dimmerPrompt: The same push must now go through two bulbs.
  2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / An open switch stops the current. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit.) → 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. Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket? (Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock / It might break the toy / It is not dangerous / Sockets have no electricity) → Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shockPrompt: Mains voltage is much higher than a battery's.

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: kettle? (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. Which is the safest thing to do if an appliance's cable is frayed? (Pull the wires apart. / Stop using it and tell an adult. / Keep using it carefully. / Wrap it in wet paper.) → Stop using it and tell an adult.Prompt: Damaged insulation can expose live wires.

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. 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?
  2. True or false? A torch battery is as dangerous as a wall socket. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Think about voltage, water and damaged cables.

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

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Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: washing machine?

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

  3. Question 3

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

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

    True or false? Overloading one socket with many plugs is a good idea.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  6. Question 6

    Why do plugs and cables have plastic or rubber coverings?

    • A. To keep them warm.
    • B. To make them heavier.
    • C. Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.
    • D. Plastic conducts electricity better.

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Answer key: Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

  1. 1. C. Stop using it and tell an adult.

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

  3. 3. A. True

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

  5. 5. B. False

  6. 6. C. Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.