Electricity

Introduction

Electricity is important in every day life. We use it for telephones, computers and lighting. What if we lost electricity? Are there items where you live that can help light a light bulb?

Task

Your task is to create a working circuit with the objects we have in our classroom. Many different things can help light a light bulb. You will work in groups to find the best objects that can help light the light bulb and learn about electricity. You will also research some famous people in history and learn how they worked with electricity.

Process

Students will be put in groups of 4.

Step 1: We will all watch Bill Nye the Science Guy on Electricity!

Step 2: You will follow the circuit maker and conductor maker. You will answer all questions and take the quizzes.

Circuit Maker     

Conductor Maker

Step 3: In your groups, you will create a circuit using the circuit kits in the classroom as well as items in the classroom. You will create a chart about which items helped conduct electricity and which ones didn't.

Step 4: Each of you will be given a person who had a major impact related to electricity. Once you are given your famous person, go to the following website and find their name: Famous People in Electricity

Read through the information and answer the following questions:

  • Who is he/she?
  • When was he/she born?
  • What was he or she famous for?
  • When did he or she become famous for that?
  • How did he or she do it?

Step 5: You will discuss your characters with your group. Your group will do an interview. You will talk in first person and dress the part when participating in this interview. You will split up into pairs and use the list of questions below when presenting:

  • What is your name?
  • When were you born?
  • What did you become famous for?
  • When did you become famous for that?
  • How did you do it?
Evaluation

 

3

2

1

0

Circuit and Conductor maker questions and quizzes

Student followed procedure by following the circuit and conductor makers and answering all questions and taking the quizzes.

Student went through both circuit and conductor makers but did not answer all the questions and take the quizzes.

Student went through one of the makers and answered questions and took the quiz.

Student did not do either maker.

Create a Circuit

Student helped in the process of creating a circuit. Student gave ideas about what he/she thought would work as conductors.

Student helped a little in the process of creating a circuit. Student gave few ideas on what he/she thought would work as conductors.

Student helped little in the process of creating a circuit. Student gave few ideas on what he/she thought would work as conductors.

Student did not help create a circuit or give ideas about what would work for conductors.

Chart of Conductors

Student created a conductor chart about what worked as conductors and what didn't.

Student created a conductor chart and filled out most information about what worked as conductors and what didn't.

Student created a conductor chart and filled out little information about what worked as conductors and what didn't.

Student did not create a conductor chart.

Famous Electricity Person Research

Student was given a famous person who worked with electricity and did research to answer all questions thoroughly.

Student was given a famous person who worked with electricity and did research to answer most questions.

Student was given a famous person who worked with electricity and did research to answer few questions.

Student was given a famous person who worked with electricity but did not research to answer questions.

Famous Electricity Person Presentation

Student worked with his/her group to create the presentation and dressed and talked the part during the presentation.

Student worked somewhat with his/her group to create the presentation and dressed and talked the part during the presentation.

Student worked little with his/her group to create the presentation but did not either dress or talk the part during the presentation.

Student did not work with his/her group to create the presentation and did not dress or talk the part during the presentation.

Teamwork

Student worked with his or her group throughout the duration of the webquest. Student thought critically and gave many ideas to the group.

Student worked with his or her group mostly throughout the webquest. Student thought critically and gave some ideas to the group.

Student worked with his or her group little throughout the webquest. Student gave little ideas to the group.

Student did not work with his or her group throughout the webquest. Student did not give ideas to the group.
Conclusion

You have created circuits and learned about important people in history that were related to electricity. Now you can create a circuit if the power ever goes out and you do not have any flashlights. Take this knowledge and think about how it can be useful to you. You never know when you are going to need this information.

Credits
Teacher Page

Content Standards:

4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and
electric currents.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.