Electric Circuits
Lesson 3
A Closer Look at Circuits
Students build on their experiences from Lesson 2 and further explore different ways to create complete circuits.
3. Lesson Set-up and Management
4-5 PS3A Energy has many forms, such as heat, light, sound, motion, and electricity.
4-5 PS3E Electrical energy in circuits can be changed to other forms of energy, including light, heat, sound, and motion. Electric circuits require a complete loop through conducting materials in which an electric current can pass.
- Students predict if different configurations of wire, bulb, and battery will allow the bulb to light.
- Students test the configurations and extend their understanding of the critical connections needed to complete the circuit.
3. Lesson Set-Up and Management
Materials:
- It may be helpful to assign the role of materials manager. This student can pick up the materials boxes for his or her group and/or partner.
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| Testing predictions | Building different circuit configurations |
Student Management:
- Students engage in reflection when they use the large bulb and battery to show various configurations that allowed the bulb to light.
- Discuss the difference between predictions and guesses on step 1 of the procedures.
- Having students provide a reason for their predictions can offer additional insight into their thinking processes.
- If you have a document camera, photocopy and cut out figure 3-1, the diagram of the bulb. Use a transparency if you have an overhead projector. For both use a piece of yarn to represent the wire. Having students practice with these pieces provides multiple and varied experiences with a single concept.
Writing Support:
- Focus Question: How many different ways can I make a bulb light? Describe each.
Last updated 6/17/2009