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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 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 · 5 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. Which circuit needs to be complete for a bulb to light? (a bulb on its own / one wire from the cell to the bulb / an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back / 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? (An open switch stops the current. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit. / Batteries are safe to put in your mouth. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow.) → Batteries are safe to put in your mouth.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?
  3. What does a switch do in a circuit? (It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or on / It makes the bulb brighter / It stores electricity / It changes the battery) → It opens or closes a gap, turning the circuit off or onPrompt: When you switch off a light, what happens to the circuit?

Hook · 5 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 · 10 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 · 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. Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket? (It might break the toy / It is not dangerous / Sockets have no electricity / Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock) → 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? (Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / 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?

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 6 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. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / A bulb lights with just one wire to the cell. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit.) → A bulb lights with just one wire to the cell.Prompt: Does current get used up in a series circuit?
  2. 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.

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

    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. a bulb on its own
    • D. an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back

  2. Question 2

    Circuits: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter.
    • B. Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back.
    • C. An open switch stops the current.
    • D. A circuit must be complete for current to flow.

  3. Question 3

    Look at the circuit. Will the bulb light?

    1.5 Vgap
    • A. yes
    • B. no

  4. Question 4

    What does a switch do in a circuit?

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

  5. Question 5

    Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket?

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

  6. Question 6

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

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

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Answer key: Simple circuits

  1. 1. D. an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back

  2. 2. B. Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back.

  3. 3. B. no

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

  5. 5. D. Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock

  6. 6. A. Both bulbs are dimmer