1. “Exploring the material world” Building an electrical object
Teaching kit
“Exploring the material world”
Building an electrical object

2. Building an electrical object…
The different aspects of the discovery of the material world can only be approached from real-life situations and observation satisfying children’s curiosity.

3. Activity 17: Building an electrical object
This activity can be performed with or without adult supervision

4. Activity 17: Building an electrical object
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
Activity 17: Building an electrical object
1,5 V
4,5 V

5. - Tell me what you can see on the sheet.
Question 1 :
- Tell me what you can see on the sheet.
Sheet n° 17
1,5 V
4,5 V

6. Sheet n° 17
If the child takes a long time to answer, the question should be rephrased.
1,5 V
4,5 V

7. - Say what you can see in the pictures…
Sheet n° 17
Example of a prompt:
- Say what you can see in the pictures…
(while showing the battery, the base, the diodes and the wires)
1,5 V
4,5 V

8. At nursery school, the important thing is that children should identify and name what they see.

9. Questions to ask the child:
What do you think could be built with these things?
Expected answers :
“a simple circuit” or “a lamp” etc.

10. The mediator will ask the child to turn the sheet over and will suggest some devices that are fun to make…

11. Be careful to connect everything together properly!
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
Be careful to connect everything together properly!
1,5
4,5 V

12. Building another object that runs on a battery…
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
Building another object that runs on a battery…
4,5 V
Electric wires
Motor

13. Say what you can see in these pictures…
(while showing the wheel, the wooden shapes, the lamp, the wires, the battery and the motor)
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
4,5 V
Electrics wires
Moteur

14. Questions to ask the child:
What do you think could be built with these things?
Expected answers:
“a toy” or “a lamp” etc

15. The mediator will ask the child to turn the sheet over and will suggest some objects that are fun to make…

16. For the motor to work, I have to check that:
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
For the motor to work,
I have to check that:
The red wire is connected to the motor
and the battery
4,5 V
The blue wire is connected to the motor
and the battery 9V

17. Observation and description are the opportunity to draw attention to the functions of the different parts of an electric circuit…

18. For the lamp to light up, I have to check that:
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
For the lamp to light up,
I have to check that:
The red wire is connected to the lamp
and the battery
4,5 V
The blue wire is connected to the
lamp and the battery 9V

19. Conducting experiments, observing and looking after things are a unique resource for verbal expression and interaction, even for the youngest and most reserved children.

20. Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object
Exploring the material world: Building an electrical object Sheet n° 17
Be careful to do the connections properly if you want both to work at the same time! 9V
4,5 V

21. In the course of these exchanges with the adult, an orderly pattern of questioning, clear concepts and, ultimately, knowledge will take shape.

22. Advice for performing the activity without supervision:
You can build other electrical objects by yourself or with your parents’ help…

23. Making a notebook with the children
They will be able to record each stage with drawings and photos illustrating what they have learnt from the experiment
(these notes and observations can sometimes be made with the mediator and sometimes independently)

24. The written recording of observations (dictated to an adult) helps to memorise knowledge, become aware of relationships in space and time and identify causal links.

25. the child should be able to…
On completion of the activity
the child should be able to…
- recognise a closed electric circuit and an open electric circuit
- form two parallel circuits
- make homemade toys using everyday objects.