Current Electricity-Lights On
Initial Publication Date: August 31, 2008
Summary
This is an exploratory lesson that provides the learners with a chance to discover the possible connections in a controlled setting. While the possibilities may seem limitless there are but four basic ways to complete the simple circuit. The rule of each contact area needs to be in contact with one other contact area fulfills the options and possibilities.
Materials:
-D cell battery
-20 cm of wire with stripped ends
-Pieces of painter's tape
-Flashlight bulb.
The students are to try to light the bulb using the materials given. Students will discover that two points of contact need to be made with the battery and one point of contact with the bulb.
CollapseLearning Goals
This activity is designed for students to experiment with different arrangements of the wire, bulb, and battery to produce a lit bulb. Students will make close observations of the positioning of the materials and draw those both successful and unsuccessful attempts. Eventually when shown a diagram, students will be able to predict and test the drawings to see if the bulb will indeed be lit. This is "naked science" nothing hidden it is just all out in the open.
Vocabulary:
-Circuit
-Closed circuit
-Open circuit
-Conductor
-Pathway
-Current
-Positive
-Negative
-Contact areas
-Battery
Vocabulary:
-Circuit
-Closed circuit
-Open circuit
-Conductor
-Pathway
-Current
-Positive
-Negative
-Contact areas
-Battery
Context for Use
Time: 20-30 minutes
Individual or small groups
Materials:
-Flashlight bulb
-20 cm of wire with stripped ends
-Pieces of painter's tape
-1 D cell battery
-Additional pieces of wire
-Batteries
Caution: Batteries will wear out and get hot when the current passes from one end of the battery to the other without passing through the bulb. Encourage students to quickly disconnect the trials that don't work. All other standard protocols of standard safe science practice would stand.
Individual or small groups
Materials:
-Flashlight bulb
-20 cm of wire with stripped ends
-Pieces of painter's tape
-1 D cell battery
-Additional pieces of wire
-Batteries
Caution: Batteries will wear out and get hot when the current passes from one end of the battery to the other without passing through the bulb. Encourage students to quickly disconnect the trials that don't work. All other standard protocols of standard safe science practice would stand.
Description and Teaching Materials
Show the kids the equipment.
Explain that their job is to make it light.
When they get it one way, tell them good job and ask them to record what they did and then have them try to find another way.
They need to share ideas with teammates and group members.
They need to distill the many ways they have made this work into the basic four ways that this will work.
Introduction of the rule as stated above could be done for the kids who get done early.
For the kids who need more challenge or a vertical extension of the lesson, they can be given an extra wire, battery, and bulb.
The tape will help kids who lack the dexterity needed to hold it all together. This lesson continues the process or progression-static electricity has been studied and students are ready to begin learning about current electricity.
Go over the cautions mentioned in the context. Hand out the materials and stand back.
When a student is successful, share the findings with the group by drawing it on the board and pointing out the contact points.
After 25-30 minutes review the findings. What are the contact areas? (positive and negative on battery, base and side of bulb socket, bare ends of the wire) What is the rule? (Two points of contact need to be connected but not with each other.)
Explain that their job is to make it light.
When they get it one way, tell them good job and ask them to record what they did and then have them try to find another way.
They need to share ideas with teammates and group members.
They need to distill the many ways they have made this work into the basic four ways that this will work.
Introduction of the rule as stated above could be done for the kids who get done early.
For the kids who need more challenge or a vertical extension of the lesson, they can be given an extra wire, battery, and bulb.
The tape will help kids who lack the dexterity needed to hold it all together. This lesson continues the process or progression-static electricity has been studied and students are ready to begin learning about current electricity.
Go over the cautions mentioned in the context. Hand out the materials and stand back.
When a student is successful, share the findings with the group by drawing it on the board and pointing out the contact points.
After 25-30 minutes review the findings. What are the contact areas? (positive and negative on battery, base and side of bulb socket, bare ends of the wire) What is the rule? (Two points of contact need to be connected but not with each other.)
Teaching Notes and Tips
I have used this lesson with fourth graders in the past. Students were having a tough time holding the wire and getting the connection on the correct spot. The painter's tape will help keep the students. Students will look to each other within their groups for ideas and help. Some students will get bulb to light up right away and could be given additional wire and batteries. Before the lesson make sure the wires are stripped enough, the bulbs work and the batteries are good.
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Assessment
Student journals will have diagrams of ways attempted and their notes showing which worked and which did not. The notes will be checked for accuracy. Students will also be asked to show the teacher one way to make the bulb light up. A checklist for no trouble, help needed and no clue will be recorded.
Standards
Grade 4 II C-Physical Science-energy transformations