Sarah Sell Big Ideas of Electricity y
Science Lesson Plan #1- Electricity
February 14, 2012
Electricity is a form of energy that has powered our world for centuries. Students need to understand that electrical energy is a form of energy. Electricity is actually a secondary form of energy because it comes from other sources of energy such as coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, etc. Prior the discovery of electricity, the world was powered through these resources in the form of water power, wood burning stoves, and gas lamps. Today we power our world through electric generators, batteries, and more. Circuits are the system in which electrical currents flows in a complete path to create different forms of energy. Students need to understand that electric currents flow in a looped path and return to its source. The flow of these currents can generate heat, light, sound, motion, and magnetism. Circuits bridge the charge between two oppositely charged atoms. There are several different types of circuit models including a parallel circuit and a single circuit. Electricity flows through some matter more efficiently than others. Students need to understand that electricity flows differently through different objects. How well an object conducts electricity is its resistance while poor conductors of electricity are called insulators. Students will see that wire of a variety of metals is a good conductor as observed in generator but that rubber is a good insulator as seen through our tires that are accurately mythed to protect us in lightning storms. Static electricity is a form of electrical energy. Students must comprehend that static electricity is a stationary electrical charge on a material. It forms when more electrons are accumulated than can equal the number of protons on that object. Students should utilize their prior knowledge of the generation of an electrical currant to conceptualize how static electricity is a different form of electricity. Electrical fields are created through changing magnetic fields and vice versa Students will understand that electricity is generated by the rotation of the coils of copper wire between the poles of a very powerful magnet. This process created a steady stream of electric current that most people use. However, in order to keep the coils of copper wire spinning, primary sources of energy such as water or air in the form of turbines are used. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison were pioneers in the harnessing of electricity for uses in todays world. Students will understand the contributors to the study of electricity including, Franklin, Voltaire, Edison, and Faraday and how their work has enlightened our world. Students can explore this by listing all of the ways in which they use electricity, or perhaps challenge students not to use any electrical devises and share their responses on the importance and influence electricity has on their worlds. Electricity is composed of a system and structure of atoms. Students will understand that all matter and made up of atoms and all atoms are composed of a neutron electron and proton. Protons have a positive charge while
Sarah Sell
Science Lesson Plan #1- Electricity
February 14, 2012
electrons have a negative charge and neutrons remain neutral. Electrons are made to move from one atom to another creating an electric current in a flowing movement; for each electron that is added, one is removed from the atom. Positively charged atoms attract negatively charged atoms and the more you have of one or the other, the stronger attraction there is for the other. The total attraction in this phenomenon is referred to as a charge. It is important to avoid electrical hazards when working with electricity Students should understand that electricity is not something to fool around with. As amusing and playful as it may be to shock your friends through static electricity, when building circuits and handling wires, students should be cautious of the breaker being off to avoid electrocution. Students should also be informed of the dangers of lightning and know what action to take if ever caught in a storm.
Objectives Big ideas: Circuits are the system in which electrical currents flows in a complete path to create different forms of energy. Electricity flows through some matter more efficiently than others. 1. SWBAT model the flow of electricity through a circuit, create a diagram illustrating this phenomenon, and finally construct a functioning electrical circuit safely. 2. SWBAT judge the best conductors of electricity as demonstrated through their circuit. Big ideas: Static electricity is a form of electrical energy. Electricity flows through some matter more efficiently than others. 3. SWBAT evaluate the substances that release the greatest electrical charge onto a balloon. 4. SWBAT categorize their findings into groups that highlight the similarities between objects. Assessment 1. Students models represented the flow of energy in a complete path that returned to its initial source. Students diagrams illustrated this concept and were used in the safe construction of a functioning circuit. Students discuss and record why and how their model works to support their understanding of circuits. Students tests of the stronger and weaker conductors in their circuit either support predictions. Students are able to justify why certain conductors were either insulators or resistors.
Sarah Sell
Science Lesson Plan #1- Electricity
February 14, 2012
Students considered different types of circuits in the modeling and constructing of their circuit. 2. Students justified why some materials were better electrical conductors than others. Students label certain conductors as being either insulators or resistors. Students provide reasons for these answers. Students categorize the objects by good conductors and bad conductors to discover relationships between objects. Students make conclusions based on these categories as to what are good conductors and what objects are not. Students relate these findings to what materials they have already classified as resistors and insulators.
