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

Will the bulb light? Switches, gaps and complete circuits

Electricity and magnetism

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

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Will the bulb light? Switches, gaps and complete 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: Simple circuits

Leads to: Brighter or dimmer? Changing cells and bulbs

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. 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.
  2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit. / An open switch stops the current. / Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter.) → 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. What happens if you add a second bulb in series with the first (same cell)? (The cell gets stronger / Only one lights / Both bulbs are brighter / Both bulbs are dimmer) → Both bulbs are dimmerPrompt: The same push must now go through two bulbs.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
  • Share the objective: Will the bulb light? Switches, gaps and complete 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 does a switch do in a circuit?
  • Step 1: A switch breaks or completes the loop.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: It opens or closes a gap to stop or start the current.
  • Answer: It opens or closes a gap to stop or start the current.
  • 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. A bulb in a complete circuit does not light. Which is the most likely fault? (The bulb has blown or the battery is flat. / The wires are too colourful. / It is daytime. / The table is wooden.) → The bulb has blown or the battery is flat.Prompt: If the loop is complete, check the parts.
  2. True or false? Metals are good electrical conductors. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Is there a complete loop of conductors?

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 is a metal paperclip often used to make a simple homemade switch? (Metal is an electrical conductor, so it can complete the circuit. / It looks nicer. / Metal is an insulator. / Paperclips store energy.) → Metal is an electrical conductor, so it can complete the circuit.Prompt: Will current flow through plastic?
  2. True or false? An open switch leaves a gap in the circuit. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Is there a complete loop of conductors?

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

  • Move on to: Brighter or dimmer? Changing cells and bulbs.
  • 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

Will the bulb light? Switches, gaps and complete circuits

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What does a switch do in a circuit?

    • A. It changes light into sound.
    • B. It stores electricity.
    • C. It opens or closes a gap to stop or start the current.
    • D. It makes the battery stronger.

  2. Question 2

    Look at the circuit. The switch is open. Will the bulbs light?

    1.5 V
    • A. yes, it lights
    • B. no, it stays off

  3. Question 3

    True or false? A bulb lights even if a wire is disconnected.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  4. Question 4

    A bulb in a complete circuit does not light. Which is the most likely fault?

    • A. The bulb has blown or the battery is flat.
    • B. The wires are too colourful.
    • C. The table is wooden.
    • D. It is daytime.

  5. Question 5

    Look at the circuit. The switch is closed. Will the bulb light?

    1.5 V1.5 V
    • A. yes, it lights
    • B. no, it stays off

  6. Question 6

    True or false? Metals are good electrical conductors.

    • A. True
    • B. False

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Answer key: Will the bulb light? Switches, gaps and complete circuits

  1. 1. C. It opens or closes a gap to stop or start the current.

  2. 2. B. no, it stays off

  3. 3. B. False

  4. 4. A. The bulb has blown or the battery is flat.

  5. 5. A. yes, it lights

  6. 6. A. True