Got Power? What Is Electricity?

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

Overview

In this activity, students will further expand their knowledge of energy and matter by exploring electrons. Students will learn that the flow of electrons creates electric currents. Students will explore open and closed circuits to plan an experiment that uses electricity.

This resource was created in partnership with Dothan City Schools.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain

Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

SC15.4.2
Plan and carry out investigations that explain transference of energy from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

Vocabulary

Construct
Transfer
Energy
Potential energy
Kinetic energy
Friction
Conduction
Absorb
Reflect
Circuit
Open circuit
Close circuit
Heat
Radiation
Convection
Collision
Motion
Electrical energy
Stored energy

Knowledge

Students know:

Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat.
The transfer of energy, including the following:

Collisions between objects.
Light traveling from one place to another.
Electric currents producing motion, sound, heat, or light.
Sound traveling from one place to another.
Heat passing from one object to another.
Motion, sound, heat, and light causing a different type of energy to be observed after an interaction.

Heat is produced in many ways.
Heat can move via conduction.
The properties of different objects cause them to be able to absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy.
Electric currents pass through a circuit.

Skills

Students are able to:

Collaboratively plan and carry out an investigation that converts energy one form to another.

Identify the phenomenon.
Identify the evidence to address the purpose of the investigation.
Collect the data.

Construct an explanation using evidence about heat production.
Develop a model demonstrating that different objects can absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy.
Develop a model demonstrating electric circuits.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
Heat energy can be produced in many ways.
The properties of objects, e.g. ability to absorb, reflect, or conduct energy, relate to their function.
Electric energy can be transferred through circuits.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Developing and Using Models

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Learning Objectives

The students will plan an investigation that explains the transfer of energy from place to place by electric current.

Activity Details

This activity will focus on Electricity. Students should have basic prior knowledge of the relationship between electricity, energy, and matter.

The teacher will have the students read aloud the lesson objectives. Below are the learning objectives in student-friendly terms.

I can actively participate in explicit teacher-led instruction to gain important knowledge about electricity.
I can provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric current.

The teacher will review the key terms and definitions for the activity: circuit, conductors, return, electrons, energy, and matter.

A circuit is a path that an electric current can travels along.
A conductor is a material that conducts electricity.
An insulator is a material where electric energy cannot flow freely.
Return is the place to which the electrons flow in a circuit.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that exist in a cloud around the nucleus of an atom.
Energy is the power an atom's charged particles has to cause an action or move an object.
Matter is an atom that contains tiny protons, electrons, and neutrons.

The teacher will give each student a pre-printed handout with the materials and procedures written down for an investigation of energy transference by electric current. Students will glue this into glue it in their journals.
The teacher will have the students write Entry #3 – Planning an Investigation in their science notebooks/journals on a new page.
The teacher will have the students divide their notebook page into three sections and label each section “Question,” “Prediction,” and “Results.”
The teacher and students will write the focus question in their notebooks under the “Question” label. Question: How many connections to a battery are necessary for a light bulb to light up?
The teacher will ask each student to predict what they think will happen during the investigation on energy transference by electric current.

Sentence frame “I predict that …”

6. The teacher will put the students in groups of 4 to develop a sketch of their investigation based on the written procedures. (Remind the students to be very detailed when sketching their plans.)

7. The teacher will check each sketch to ensure completion, and allow the students to make the necessary revisions.

Assessment Strategies

Exit Ticket (Quick Write)

In your own words, what is the difference between an open and closed circuit?

Acceleration

The teacher will have the Extension Activity “Capture the Gist” written on the board. Directions: The students are to write an independent summary of their investigation sketch in 20 words or less. This statement must be a true statement.

Intervention

The teacher and the students will work in small groups of no more than 4 students to revise their investigation sketches.

Variation Tips

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to make sure that each student has their Science Journals or Investigation Notebooks.

The teacher will need to print out the procedures and materials for students to glue in their notebooks.

The students are asked to complete Entry #3 in their science journals. Entry #3 will be the students' and teacher-created discussion on how to plan and execute the investigation for energy transference by electric current.

The teacher needs a sample of how to complete Entry #3 with the three sections: "Question," "Prediction," and "Variables."

Learning Activity (Before)

Got Power? An Introduction to Electricity

Total Duration

31 to 45 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)