Learning objectives
Knowledge
- To explain the use of materials as electrical conductors or insulators.
Working scientifically
- To write a method.
Success criteria
Knowledge
- I can describe
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National curriculum
Science
Electricity
Pupils
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Cross-curricular links
English
Writing
Pupils
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Display slide 1 of the Presentation: Circuits – spot the mistakes and ask the children to find as many mistakes as possible in the circuit diagrams.
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Extended-mode explainer videos
How to extend your display to view the lesson page and preseantion mode simultaneously. Choose your operating system below to watch the video
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Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
Extended-mode explainer video: For Windows
Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Could use the Activity: Investigating electrical conductors and insulators (support version) to provide prompts when writing the method; should watch the Pupil video: Investigating electrical conductors and insulators to reinforce the method and offer reminders throughout the experiment.
Pupils working at greater depth
Should make predictions about other objects and materials that have not been tested based on their results (and therefore extrapolating data); could add an ammeter to the test circuit and record the conductivity for the different materials; could list the materials tested in order of conductivity; could choose an extension activity relating to electrical conductivity from the Resource: Stretch and challenge: Electricity and circuits.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: describing that a material
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Knowledge outcomes
- I can describe that a material is a good electrical conductor if it is added to a series circuit and the bulb lights.
- I can describe that a material is a good electrical insulator if it is added to a series circuit and the bulb does not light.
- I can recall that metals are good electrical conductors.
- I can recall that plastics are good electrical insulators.
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Vocabulary definitions
-
conclusion
A summary of what happened, using evidence and scientific knowledge.
-
electrical conductor
A material that lets electrical charge pass through it quickly.
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In this unit
Assessment - Science Y4: Electricity and circuits
Lesson 1: Using electricity
Lesson 2: Building circuits
Lesson 3: Switching on and off
Lesson 4: Investigating electrical conductors and insulators
Lesson 5: Investigating bulb brightness
Lesson 6: Electrical safety
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 9th January, 2025
