Overview

Year group: 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 30 students
Unit: Exploring Electrical Circuits (Lesson 2 of 3)
Curriculum links:

KS3 Science Programme of Study: Physics – Electricity (National Curriculum for England)
Pupils should be taught to: “Understand electrical circuits including the concepts of current, voltage, and resistance, and how to measure them.”

Learning Objectives

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

Define and understand the terms electric current and voltage in simple circuits.
Explain the relationship between current, charge, and time using current (I = Q/t).
Use and read an ammeter and voltmeter correctly in a circuit.
Investigate how voltage affects the brightness of bulbs in a circuit.

National Curriculum references:

Pupils should be taught to:
- Use symbols to represent simple components in a circuit diagram.
- Use common laboratory equipment including ammeters and voltmeters to make measurements.
- Interpret observations and data to draw conclusions about electrical quantities.

Resources Needed

Simple circuits kits (battery, bulbs, wires, switches) – one per pair of students
Ammeters (digital or analogue) – one per pair
Voltmeters (digital or analogue) – one per pair
Variable power supply or batteries of different voltages
Whiteboard and markers
Worksheets for data recording and key definitions
Visual aids/posters explaining current and voltage with diagrams
Stopwatch or timer app for timing charge flow experiments

Lesson Breakdown

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

Concept Check and Engagement

Begin with a quick recap quiz using hand signals or mini whiteboards: What is electric current? What is voltage?
Show a short, engaging animation or diagram that illustrates how current flows and what voltage represents in a circuit (voltage as ‘push’ behind the current).
Pose an open question: How do you think the amount of current changes if the battery voltage changes? – take 2-3 student ideas.

Purpose: Assess prior knowledge and prime students to think critically about voltage and current.

2. Interactive Teaching: Concepts and Formula (15 minutes)

Explaining Current and Voltage

Define electric current as the flow of electric charge and introduce the formula: I = Q / t, where I = current (amperes), Q = charge (coulombs), t = time (seconds).
Use a simple analogy: Water flowing in a pipe – volume of water = charge, water flow rate = current.
Explain voltage as the electric potential difference, the ‘push’ that moves the charge around the circuit.
Demonstrate circuit symbols for cell, bulb, ammeter, voltmeter on the board and draw simple circuit diagrams including these.

Class discussion:

Ask students why measuring current and voltage might be important in real life (e.g. in electronics, household appliances).

3. Practical Activity: Measuring Current and Voltage (20 minutes)

Hands-on Circuit Building & Measurement

Students work in pairs to build a simple circuit including one bulb and a cell.
Teacher demonstrates how to correctly connect an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel.
Students measure:
a) Current flowing in the circuit with a fixed voltage (constant battery).
b) Voltage across the bulb.
c) Change voltage using different batteries or a variable power supply and record how current and bulb brightness change.

Focus points:

Ensure students follow safety rules (handle meters carefully, switch off when changing connections).
Students record their measurements and observations on the worksheet.

4. Reflection and Explanation (10 minutes)

Class Discussion & Data Analysis

Ask pairs to share their data and observations: What happens to the current when voltage is increased? How does bulb brightness change?
Reinforce the relationship: Increasing voltage increases current (if resistance stays the same), leading to brighter bulbs.
Discuss the equation I = Q / t and how the current measurement represents the flow of charge per second.
Highlight real-world applications such as why household voltage is regulated.

5. Plenary: Concept Quiz and Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Quick quiz using mini whiteboards or verbal:
1. How do you connect an ammeter in a circuit?
2. What does voltage measure?
3. If the voltage doubles, what happens to current (under same resistance)?
Exit ticket (index cards or mini-sheets):
- Write down one new thing you learned about current and voltage today.
- One question you still have about electrical circuits.

Assessment and Feedback

Formative assessment through questioning during practical and discussion.
Observation of students using meters with correct technique.
Review of worksheet data and answers to exit ticket questions.
Address misconceptions next lesson based on exit ticket feedback.

Differentiation

Support: Provide labelled diagrams of circuit setup; pairing with knowledgeable peers.
Challenge: Extend with simple calculations of charge passed using I = Q / t for higher-attaining students.
Alternative recording: Allow oral explanation for students with writing difficulties.

Curriculum Impact and Future Links

This lesson builds solid foundations for exploring resistance and Ohm’s Law in the next session (Lesson 3).
Develops core scientific enquiry skills: using equipment, recording data, interpreting results.
Links with KS3 Science statutory requirement that pupils “understand how current, voltage and resistance behave in circuits.”

Teacher Tips

Bring real-life context: handheld flashlights, phone chargers to discuss voltage and current practically.
Encourage questions and curiosity about invisible forces like electricity.
Use varied questioning techniques: “Think-pair-share”, ‘cold calling’ for engagement.
Incorporate technology: use a simulation software briefly to visualise electron flow if equipment is limited.

This lesson plan delivers on key statutory content from the National Curriculum while ensuring student engagement through practical and conceptual learning about current and voltage that is age-appropriate and memorable.

Current and Voltage

Teaching Instructions