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Electrical energy is part of our everyday lives at home, at work and at school. We use it for refrigeration, machines and lighting. Portable devices such as mobile phones, watches and many toys rely on batteries for electrical energy. Electric circuits are needed to allow energy to be transferred from a battery to light bulbs, motors and buzzers, where it is changed into light, movement or sound.
The It's electrifying unit is an ideal way to link science with literacy in the classroom. Students develop their understanding through hands-on activities that explore the role of electrons in transferring energy in electric circuits. Through investigating batteries, light bulbs, switches, conductors and insulators, they explain how battery-operated devices such as a torch work. |
Unit at a glance (PDF)
Unit outcomes (PDF)
Unit overview (PDF) (DOC)
Equipment lists (PDF)
Assessment resources
Resource sheets
Factual texts
Useful websites
Assessment resources
In Primary Connections units, assessment is an ongoing and embedded process which enhances learning.
Recording and reporting tools included are:
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Assessment checklists (PDF) (DOC)
Assessment rubrics (PDF) (DOC)
Science journal/work sample tags (PDF) (DOC)
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These tools provide only a snapshot of the variety of assessment and reporting methods that can be used in conjunction with Primary Connections.
Resource sheets
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PROE record: Lighting up my life (PDF) (DOC)
Folded foil wires (PDF) (DOC)
Inside a light bulb (PDF)
Biography of Alessandro Volta: Battery maker (PDF)
Chronological list: Alessandro Volta (PDF) (DOC)
Lab notes: What's this all about? (PDF)
Investigation planner: Problem solvers (PDF) (DOC)
Making switches (PDF) (DOC)
It's electrifying word loop cards (PDF) (DOC)
Torch template (PDF)
Bright sparks: Reflecting on my learning (PDF) (DOC)
Role badges (PDF) (DOC)
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Factual texts and useful websites
Factual texts:
Electricity from Amps to Volts (Science Answers series)
Cooper, Christopher (Heinemann Library 2003, 32pp)
ISBN 0 431 17492 X
Exciting Electrics (Design Challenge Series)
Good, Keith (Evans Brothers, London 1999, 30pp)
ISBN 0 237 519852
Electricity and Batteries (Science Factory Series)
Flaherty, Michael (Franklin Watts, London 1999, 32pp)
ISBN 0 7496 3415 4 (Hardcover)
ISBN 0 7496 4722 1 (Paperback)
Electricity (Straightforward Science series)
Riley, Peter (Franklin Watts, Australia, 2003, 32pp)
ISBN 0 7496 5216 0
Conductors and Insulators (My World of Science series)
Royston, Angela (Heinemann Library, Oxford, 2003, 32pp)
ISBN 0 431 13726 9
Useful websites
Energizer Learning Centre
Comprehensive information on how batteries work, the history of batteries, battery care and how flashlights work.
BBC Schools Science Clips
An Interactive learning activity where students construct virtual circuits, including notions of parallel and series circuits.
Electric Circuits – An Interactive E-Learning Website
An Interactive E-Learning Website designed to extend the knowledge and understanding of electricity and electric circuits of 7 - 11 yr olds.
The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits
An interactive flash game for up to five players including information, a hands-on exploration task and a quiz for different aspects of electricity and circuits.
The science and safety of electricity
Safety tips, challenges, experiments and games designed for upper primary and secondary students.
What is electricity?
Information site designed for students, including project information, a library of things that can be downloaded and games.
Alessandro Volta and Luigi Galvani's debate in detail
An attempt to dramatise what a debate between the two eminent scientists might have sounded like.
Crocodile clips
Provides flexible, easy-to-use modelling software for schools and colleges.
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