Series Circuits

Subject: Science and Technology

Secondary Four (grade 10)
Duration: 50 minutes

Lesson Objective
"Today I will learn circuit components and be able to make series circuits."
Students will be introduced to circuits and their components.
Students will be able to create a series circuit with the information they have been given.

Materials:
6V D-batteries
Aluminium foil
Gaiter clips
Light bulbs
Handout

Science Competencies Key Features of the Competency Addressed:

Addressed:

Makes the most of his/her Puts scientific or technological issues in context

knowledge of science and Understands the scientific principal underlying the issues
technology Understands the technological principal underlying the
issues
Evaluation criteria:
- Critical analysis of information
- Logical organization of information
- Uses of information in new context

Program Content Addressed:

What the components of an electrical circuit are, what a series circuit is and how to draw and
build a series circuit

Cross-Curricular Competencies Addressed:

Solves Problems Analyses the components of a problem
Tests possible solutions
Uses Information Makes connections between what he/she already knows
and new information
Uses information in new contexts
Exercises Critical Judgement Forms an opinion
Qualifies his/her judgement
Expresses his/her judgement
Evaluation Criteria:
- Appropriateness of strategies envisaged - Proper formulation of questions
- Appropriateness of choice of language used - Appropriateness of the criteria used
- Degree of mastery of vocabulary, syntax and symbols - Well reasoned justification of the judgement
Broad Area of Learning Addressed:
Environmental Awareness and
Consumer Rights and
Responsibilities
To encourage students to develop an active relationship
with their environmental while maintaining a critical
attitude toward consumption and the exploitation of the
environment

Rationale
Now that the students have finished up with the electrical formulas, it is time to move to the circuit
diagrams. We are going to start off simple, explaining the components of a circuit and how to draw them.
Once the students understand this, we will move on to the actual series circuit and how to draw it.

Assessment
This will be formative assessment since the students are only just learning about this topic today. It is
leading up to the lab they will be doing near the end of the week.

Accommodation/Differentiation
Elephant Thoughts is still present within the classroom which is a great help when it comes to giving each
student individual time. Alex is also well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each student and he
knows who need more help than others. This allows me to circulate and spend time with those who might
only need a couple of minutes of my help to figure something out.

The students will have a hand out of the circuit components. This will allow them to have a visual
representation of all the information they need to know. I will go over it and explain each part but this
allows them to follow along and have something in front of them to refer to in the future.

The students will be in groups to make a circuit connection. First it is in groups so it will allow students to
work together and discuss ideas. It allows the students who may not understand to ask their peers should
they be worried about asking me. This is also very hands on so it lets the students be active in their own
learning.

I will be doing demonstrations of a series circuit as well which will allow for a visual representation of
the information they need to know.

Instructional Methods

Intro
Students will be introduced like they are all class, with a fun science fact. Then I am going to introduce
the new topic of circuits.

Graphic Organizer
I will hand out the completed graphic organizer. I will put it up on the SMARTBOARD for the students
to be able to see it at the same time. We will discuss what it is that each part does and why it would be
important in the circuit.

Circuit
Students will get into groups (I only have 4 batteries) and they will attempt to build a circuit that will light
up the small bulb. I will give them the gaiter clips, the wires, aluminum and a battery. It will be up to
them to figure out different ways that you can get the bulb to light up.
Series Circuit
The students are going to be taking notes on what a series circuit is comparing it to the circuits that they
have created. I will give them information on what the circuit is, doing a demonstration of resistance with
having more than one light bulb in a row. We will discuss what the fuse does in this case. I will explain
how to draw a series circuit (start with a box, power supply, what can be added?, what is the component
supposed to look like).

White Board
Students will have to draw circuits that reflect what I am telling them.
ex: a circuit with 2 resistors and a light bulb etc.

Plan B
- All lights and batteries were tested yesterday along with the wires that the students are going to be using.
If by some fluke they do not work, I have a phet simulation on my computer that allows students to create
any type of circuit they desire. If my computer doesn't work, the students can just get into larger groups.

- There are backup wires and light bulbs. If one of the groups manages to get further ahead than most,
they can be given more bulbs and wires and asked to create something more challenging that will turn on
the light.

- Should this go quickly I will move into parallel circuits.