Students Investigate Electric Circuits Through Construction and Illustration

Build, Diagram, Display understanding
Build : Presented with an assortment of wires, batteries, and lights introduced in the FOSS Magnetism and Electricity taught previously in our school, students are challenged, given the topic of energy, "What could be done with these materials?" Students assist one another in building a complete series circuit. Students journal observations in an "I See.../ I Wonder..." log page of their attempts.

Other challenges are offered. For example, attempt to complete the circuit using other conductors found in their desks, build a complete circuit using a battery, one uncut wire and a bulb. Observations are shared in small groups and whole group and questions are recorded on a class chart for future consideration.
Diagram: The next challenge is, "How could you send your electrical circuit model to an online pen-pal?" Using a completed model from the prior day, the teacher demonstrates how to use the SciLinks website simulation Electrical Circuits via projection or SMARTboard. Following this introduction, time in the computer lab gets pairs of students designing the illustration of a model circuit they've built. The groups may need time outside of class to work. The labeled illustration is printed or hand copied for inclusion in each student's journal. Emphasize the use of color to key the individual parts of this diagram, making it easier to remember and explain.
Processing the experience opens with pairs of students sharing, in turn, with 2 other pairs of students what they learned about using the computer simulation. What worked? What didn't? Class share of observations and work summaries.

Display understanding: Now the teacher presents a malfunctioning circuit, accompanied by its illustration, Student pairs are asked to explain what is wrong with the circuit and make at least 2 different suggestions of how to solve the problem. These ideas are shared and explained to other pairs or to the entire class.

Extension: I would encourage students to design other circuits to challenge the class, from time to time, as to whether or not they would work.