• 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? (Electricity is used up as it goes round a circuit, so less comes back. / A circuit must be complete for current to flow. / A cell (battery) pushes the current around a circuit. / 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. Why should you never poke anything into a mains socket? (Sockets have no electricity / Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shock / It might break the toy / It is not dangerous) → Mains electricity can give a dangerous, even deadly, electric shockPrompt: Mains voltage is much higher than a battery's.

• 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.

• 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.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Two bulbs are in one loop with a switch. The switch is opened. What happens? (Nothing changes. / Both bulbs go out. / Only one bulb goes out. / Both bulbs get brighter.) → Both bulbs go out.Prompt: There is only one path for the current.
2. True or false? An open switch leaves a gap in the circuit. (True / False) → TruePrompt: Is there a complete loop of conductors?

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. A bulb in a complete circuit does not light. Which is the most likely fault? (The wires are too colourful. / The bulb has blown or the battery is flat. / 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? Closing a switch breaks the circuit. (True / False) → FalsePrompt: Is there a complete loop of conductors?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-4.