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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 30 minutes

Simple circuits

Electricity and magnetism

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Simple circuits.

  • 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: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Electrical conductors and insulators; Circuit symbols, cells and voltage; Electromagnets

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: three short questions students should already manage. Answers 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 / The cell gets stronger / Both bulbs are brighter / Only one lights) → Both bulbs are dimmerPrompt: The same push must now go through two bulbs.
  2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (An open switch stops the current. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / A bulb lights with just one wire to the cell.) → A bulb lights with just one wire to the cell.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?
  3. Which circuit needs to be complete for a bulb to light? (an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back / one wire from the cell to the bulb / a bulb on its own / two cells with no wires) → 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: Simple circuits. 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: What happens if you add a second bulb in series with the first (same cell)?
  • Step 1: Two bulbs in series share the voltage, so each is dimmer.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: Both bulbs are dimmer
  • Answer: Both bulbs are dimmer
  • 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. Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket? (Sockets have no electricity / It might break the toy / Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock / It is not dangerous) → Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shockPrompt: Mains voltage is much higher than a battery's.
  2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / Batteries are safe to put in your mouth. / An open switch stops the current.) → Batteries are safe to put in your mouth.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?

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. What does a switch do in a circuit? (It changes the battery / It makes the bulb brighter / It stores electricity / It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on) → 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? (Batteries are safe to put in your mouth. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / An open switch stops the current. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit.) → Batteries are safe to put in your mouth.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?

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

  • 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

  • Move on to: Electrical conductors and insulators; Circuit symbols, cells and voltage; Electromagnets.
  • 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-3.

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

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Simple circuits

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Circuits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter.
    • B. A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit.
    • C. An open switch stops the current.
    • D. Batteries are safe to put in your mouth.

  2. Question 2

    What happens if you add a second bulb in series with the first (same cell)?

    • A. Only one lights
    • B. Both bulbs are dimmer
    • C. Both bulbs are brighter
    • D. The cell gets stronger

  3. Question 3

    Look at the circuit. Will the bulb light?

    1.5 V1.5 V
    • A. yes
    • B. no

  4. Question 4

    Which circuit needs to be complete for a bulb to light?

    • A. one wire from the cell to the bulb
    • B. two cells with no wires
    • C. an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back
    • D. a bulb on its own

  5. Question 5

    What does a switch do in a circuit?

    • A. It makes the bulb brighter
    • B. It changes the battery
    • C. It stores electricity
    • D. It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on

  6. Question 6

    Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket?

    • A. It might break the toy
    • B. Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock
    • C. It is not dangerous
    • D. Sockets have no electricity

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Answer key: Simple circuits

  1. 1. D. Batteries are safe to put in your mouth.

  2. 2. B. Both bulbs are dimmer

  3. 3. A. yes

  4. 4. C. an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back

  5. 5. D. It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on

  6. 6. B. Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock