Circuits and Spark!

Curriculum Area and Level

• Subject: Science
• Key Stage: 1 (Ages 5-7)
• National Curriculum Link: Year 2 Science - "Introduction to simple electrical circuits, including batteries, wires, bulbs, and buzzers."

Learning Objectives

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

1. Understand the basic components of a simple electrical circuit.
2. Identify and name the key parts of a circuit: battery, wires, and bulb.
3. Construct a simple circuit and observe how electricity flows.

Materials Needed

• Batteries (AA size)
• Battery holders
• Insulated wires
• Small light bulbs and holders
• Buzzers
• Switches
• Circuit diagrams handout
• Safety goggles
• A3 paper
• Coloured pencils and markers

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Settle (2 minutes)

   • Greet the students warmly and ensure everyone is seated comfortably.
   • Briefly outline the exciting science topic they will be exploring.

2. Hook – Interactive Storytime (3 minutes)

   • Read a short story about a character named "Sparky the Scientist" who discovers how to light up a dark room using a battery and a bulb.
   • Engage students in predicting how Sparky might create light.

3. Discussion and Engagement (5 minutes)

   • Q&A:
     • What do you think electricity is?
     • Can you name things at home that need electricity to work?
   • Demonstration:
     • Show a simple circuit with a battery, wires, and a bulb. Do not explain how it works yet – build anticipation.

Main Activity (25 minutes)

1. Explanation and Modelling (5 minutes)

   • Introduce the key components of a circuit: battery, wires, and bulb.
   • Explain and demonstrate how to connect these components to complete a circuit.
   • Emphasise safety: never connect a circuit to a mains socket!

2. Group Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

   • Set-Up (2 minutes):
     • Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.
     • Distribute the materials: batteries, wires, bulbs, and battery holders.
   • Building the Circuit (10 minutes):
     • Instruct each group to construct their own simple circuit following the demonstration.
     • Walk around the room to support groups and ensure safe handling of materials.
   • Observation and Recording (3 minutes):
     • Once circuits are completed, prompt students to observe and draw their circuit on A3 paper.
     • Encourage them to label the different parts with the help of mini posters or diagrams provided.

3. Interactive Challenge (5 minutes)

   • Introduce a simple challenge: Can you make the bulb brighter or dimmer?
   • Provide additional batteries and suggest experimenting with series and parallel connections.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Show and Tell (5 minutes)

   • Each group presents their circuit and shares what they observed and learned.
   • Discuss how adding more batteries affected the brightness of the bulb.

2. Review and Reflect (3 minutes)

   • Recap the key points of the lesson: the components of a circuit and how electricity flows.
   • Ask reflective questions:
     • What surprised you about making a circuit?
     • Why do you think the bulb lights up only when the circuit is complete?

3. Extension and Homework (2 minutes)

   • Hand out a worksheet with circuit diagrams for homework, encouraging students to identify the components and complete the circuits.
   • Optional: Suggest a creative task such as drawing a picture of something in their house that needs electricity and labelling it.

Assessment

• Student participation in discussions and hands-on activity.
• Group presentations and circuit drawings.
• Homework worksheet completion and accuracy.

Differentiation

• Provide extra support and step-by-step guidance for students who struggle.
• Offer an additional challenge for fast finishers: creating circuits with switches or buzzers.

Health & Safety

• Ensure students wear safety goggles during the hands-on activity.
• Emphasise not to touch the metal parts of the wires when connected to the battery.

Expanding young minds with hands-on experimentation can create memorable learning experiences that lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of science. Happy experimenting!