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Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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 · 5 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 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

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Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  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)

  7. Question 7

    Why should you never touch switches or plugs with wet hands?

    • A. Water can conduct electricity into your body.
    • B. Water makes plugs rusty instantly.
    • C. Wet hands are too slippery to press.
    • D. It makes the light dimmer.

  8. Question 8

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: electric oven?

    • 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)

  7. 7. A. Water can conduct electricity into your body.

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