Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min
Questions🔀 New questions

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

Science lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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? (a bulb on its own / two cells with no wires / one wire from the cell to the bulb / an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and back) → an unbroken loop from the cell through the bulb and backPrompt: Electricity needs a complete path.
  2. Circuits: which statement is NOT true? (A bulb lights with just one wire to the cell. / An open switch stops the current. / Adding more cells makes a bulb brighter. / 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?
  3. What does a switch do in a circuit? (It stores electricity / It makes the bulb brighter / It changes the battery / 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?

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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: battery-powered toy car? (mains electricity (plugged into the wall) / batteries (cells)) → batteries (cells)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. / To make them heavier. / Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks. / 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 · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: toaster? (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 is mains electricity more dangerous than a torch (flashlight) battery? (It is a different colour. / Mains electricity is cold. / Batteries have no electricity. / Its much higher voltage can push a deadly current through your body.) → Its much higher voltage can push a deadly current through your body.Prompt: A small battery is about 1.5 V; a wall socket is about 230 V (UK/Europe) or 120 V (USA).

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

eurekami

Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    True or false? Overloading one socket with many plugs is a good idea.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  2. Question 2

    Why do plugs and cables have plastic or rubber coverings?

    • A. Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.
    • B. To make them heavier.
    • C. Plastic conducts electricity better.
    • D. To keep them warm.

  3. Question 3

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: kettle?

    • A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
    • B. batteries (cells)

  4. Question 4

    True or false? It is safe to use a hairdryer in the bath.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

    Does this usually run on mains electricity or batteries: fridge?

    • A. mains electricity (plugged into the wall)
    • B. batteries (cells)

  7. Question 7

    True or false? Mains electricity can kill, so it must be treated with care.

    • A. True
    • B. False

  8. Question 8

    Which is the safest thing to do if an appliance's cable is frayed?

    • A. Wrap it in wet paper.
    • B. Keep using it carefully.
    • C. Stop using it and tell an adult.
    • D. Pull the wires apart.

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: Mains or battery? Appliances and electrical safety

  1. 1. B. False

  2. 2. A. Plastic and rubber are electrical insulators that protect us from shocks.

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

  4. 4. B. False

  5. 5. B. Water can conduct electricity into your body.

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

  7. 7. A. True

  8. 8. C. Stop using it and tell an adult.