Circuit Discovery Begins

🔍 Overview

Lesson Title: Introduction to Electrical Circuits
Unit Title: Circuit Troubleshooting Adventure (Lesson 1 of 7)
Time Allocation: 90 minutes
Year Level: Year 6
Subject: Science
Australian Curriculum Link:
Science Understanding — Physical sciences (ACSSU097)
Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits and can be generated from a range of sources.

Cross-Curriculum Priorities:

• Critical and Creative Thinking
• ICT Capability
• Ethical Understanding

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🎯 Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the basic components of a simple electrical circuit (power source, conductor, load)
• Construct a complete circuit to power a light bulb
• Observe, record and explain how electricity flows through a circuit
• Apply behaviours that reflect gratitude and kindness while working with peers

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✅ Success Criteria

Students will:

Working Towards (C)	Working At Expected (B)	Working Above (A)
Recognise and label the parts of a basic circuit with support	Independently build a working circuit and accurately describe its components	Explain how a circuit could be altered or expanded to add more components and predict outcomes

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💡 Bump It Up Wall Language

• "I can name the parts of a circuit."
• "I can build a simple circuit that works."
• "I can explain how electricity moves in a circuit."
• "I can predict what happens if we change the circuit."

Visual A3 poster with circuit symbols and diagrams will be added to the Learning Wall.

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🌟 Differentiation & Support

• Student with Dyslexia: Use visual-based circuit maps, colour-coded components, and provide instructions read aloud or as audio clips.
• EALD Students: Include a circuit vocabulary mat with pictures and words in both English and their first language (where available).
• ICP Students (Year 3-level): Adjust learning intention to identifying and matching pictures of components. Use guided construction with pre-wired circuits or snap circuits.
• High Achievers (A-range): Challenge tasks include designing their own switch or predicting outcomes when components are rearranged.

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🙌 Values Integration

Students will begin with a Gratitude Gears sharing circle and finish by writing a Kindness Spark — a small note recognising a classmate's help or teamwork.

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🧠 Vocabulary Focus

Word	Definition
Circuit	A loop through which electricity flows
Conductor	A material that electricity flows through easily (e.g. wire)
Load	The part that uses electricity (e.g. bulb, motor)
Power Source	Provides the energy (e.g. battery)
Open Circuit	A break in the loop – electricity cannot flow
Closed Circuit	A complete loop – electricity can flow

Vocabulary will be displayed on the Science Learning Wall.

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⏰ Lesson Sequence

Part 1 — Hook & Wondering (15 mins)

Activity: Lightning Launch

• Teacher Demos: Use a large novelty battery, clip leads, and a light bulb. When the bulb lights up, act shocked (exaggerated).
• Ask: Why do you think the light turned on? What needed to be in place for that to happen?
• Student Predictions: In Science Journals, students sketch what they think is happening inside the circuit and write what they wonder about.

Incorporate Positivity: Students pass around a circuit-themed token (like a “gratitude gear”) during group share and give a compliment or thank someone in their group.

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Part 2 — Explicit Teaching (20 mins)

Input & Modelling:

• Use large A3 circuit diagram with magnetic components on the whiteboard
• Introduce key concepts (power source, conductor, load)
• Model a closed vs open circuit using the diagram, drawing with circuit symbols

Teacher Script Prompts:

"Electricity needs a path – like a racetrack with no gaps."
"What happens if there's a break in the track?"

Student Note Template: Pre-filled circuit diagram with blanks to label and a short cloze activity.

ICP/II Students: Provide simplified diagrams with word banks and colour-coded connections.

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Part 3 — Hands-On Exploration! (35 mins)

Experiment: Build Your First Circuit Students (in pairs or modified trios) receive:

• 2x AA batteries + holder
• 2x crocodile clip wires
• 1x small torch globe

Task:

• Assemble a working circuit to light the bulb.
• Sketch a labelled diagram of their circuit.
• Test what happens when they disconnect a wire (open circuit).

Fast Finishers – Extension: Try adding a second bulb. What happens?
ICP/Lower Level Support: Use snap circuits or pre-prepared circuit boards.

Reinforce kindness and independence by rotating student roles: circuit builder, recorder, checker.

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Part 4 — Consolidation & Reflection (15 mins)

Whole-Class Discussion:

• Share diagrams.
• Ask: What surprised you? What didn’t work at first?

Kindness Spark Notes:
Each student writes a short note acknowledging a peer's support or kindness today during the activity — e.g. "Thanks for showing me how the wire connects!"

Entry into Class Gratitude Jar or wall display.

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📝 Assessment Opportunities

Assessment Type	When	Details
Formative	During hands-on activity	Observe and support students building circuits, noting students who can identify errors and fix them
Peer Feedback	Reflection circle	Peer praise in Kindness Sparks gives insight on collaboration skills
Exit Slip	End of lesson	1-minute response to: "What makes a circuit work?" or "Why didn’t the light turn on the first time?"

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🧰 Resources & Materials

• AA Batteries (one per pair)
• Battery holders
• Crocodile clip wires
• Small torch bulbs
• Whiteboard & markers
• Printed circuit reference sheets
• Science journals or writing books
• Gratitude Gears token
• Kindness Spark reflection slips
• Visuals for Learning Wall (Component Diagrams, Vocabulary, Bump It Up wall)

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🔄 Links to Future Lessons

This foundational work sets students up for:

• Lesson 2: Exploring Series and Parallel Circuits
• Lesson 3: Introduction to Switches
• Lesson 4: Circuit Challenges & Fault-Finding
• …up to troubleshooting by Lesson 7!

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🧘🏼 Values Check-In

Finish with a 3-minute reflection:

"How did gratitude or kindness help our learning today?" Option: Quick mindfulness moment focusing on feeling electric energy in fingertips.

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🚀 Teacher Notes

• Prepare all materials ahead and test light bulbs.
• Use photography to document strong student work — can be added to Bump It Up Wall the next day.
• Set aside a quiet area with enlarged visuals and voice-activated instructions for students needing additional processing time.

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🌈 Optional Homework (Differentiated)

All Students: Find something that uses a circuit at home. Sketch it and label the power source, conductor, and load.

Challenge Task: Create a model or diagram of a circuit in a real-world context (e.g. traffic light, torch, fan) to share in the next lesson.

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This lessons blends physical science, creative thinking, emotional intelligence and inclusive education practices — lighting a spark in your learners’ scientific journey.