1. Electric Circuits Matthew Kennedy 4 th Grade Bonjour Elementary

2. Electric Circuit – Background Information Battery = energy source Wire = conductor Light bulb = resistor The flow of energy flows from the positive end of the battery to the negative end.

3. Ask a Question Do you think that you could make this light bulb light up? – Hold up the mini-light bulb

4. Materials Harcourt Science textbook p. F10-11 “Making Light Bulbs Light Up” Materials needed for each group: – D-cell battery – Insulated electrical wire (at least 2) – Miniature light bulb – Tape (battery holders work best) – Paper to diagram their drawing (science notebook) – * I try to have this ready in cups.

5. Conduct Investigation At this point you can either have the students work independently or in pairs. – I prefer independent because it is a very challenging activity. Allow them to work for 15-20 minutes. This part varies on their readiness and ability to figure out the activity. – They usually see another student light their bulb and copy the strategy.

6. Conduct Investigation con’t. When they are able to make the circuit work have them draw what they did. – There is a worksheet provided in the Harcourt Science Workbook or you can just have them diagram in a journal. – Symbols can be found on F13 in the textbook. If a student finishes early you can always choose to give them another light bulb and wire.

7. Investigate Further You can have the whole class, independently or in pairs, try to light up 2 light bulbs. – They would need more wires for this. Give them materials to incorporate into the circuit: paper clip, nail, Styrofoam, etc. Follow-up this activity by reading out of the Harcourt book pages F12-15.

8. Investigate Further Airliner – search for electric circuits in the gallery. There is a simple circuit that is a good visual to use after they have done the activity. Check out the following website(s): – http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/el ectricitycircuits.html http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/el ectricitycircuits.html – http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/ci rcuitsconductors.html http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/ci rcuitsconductors.html