ete loop through which
an electrical current passes.
Grade-Level Concept
An electric circuit may be
constructed with different devices
and in different combinations.
Subconcept 1
A complete circuit is
required to light a lightbulb.
Subconcept 2
Different devices and
materials play special roles
in a circuit.
Subconcept 3
Electricity flowing through
a circuit may produce heat
and light.
Subconcept 4
Different strategies can be
used to troubleshoot circuits.
Lesson 1: Pre-Unit Assessment:
Thinking about Electricity and
Its Properties
Students discuss what they
know and would like to know
about electric circuits.
Lesson 2: What Electricity
Can Do
Students investigate how
to light a bulb.
Lesson 3: A Closer Look
at Circuits
Students look at ways to
connect the parts of an
electric circuit.
Lesson 4: What Is Inside
a Lightbulb?
Students study the parts of a
bulb and the path of electricity
through it.
Lesson 5: Building a Circuit
Students use new devices
to build a circuit.
Lesson 7: Conductors and
Insulators
Students investigate con-
ductors and insulators. They
use a circuit tester.
Lesson 14: Working with a Diode
Students experiment with
semiconductor diodes and
explore the direction of
current flow.
Lesson 8: Making a Filament
Students investigate how to
make a lightbulb filament.
Lesson 6: Whats Wrong with
the Circuit?
Students learn techniques to
solve problems with circuits.
Lesson 9: Hidden Circuits
Students use circuit testers
to investigate unknown
circuits.
Lesson 10: Deciphering a
Secret Language
Students use electrical symbols
to create circuit diagrams.
Lesson 11: Exploring Series
and Parallel Circuits
Students build parallel and
series circuits and identify
the properties of each type.
Subconcept 5
Electric circuits are used to
design and build useful
devices.
Lesson 12: Learning about
Switches
Students add switches to
their circuits.
Lesson 13: Constructing a
Flashlight
Students discuss the
differences between parallel
and series circuits and apply
what they have learned to
make a flashlight.
Lesson 15: Planning to Wire a
House
Students design plans for
wiring a model house.
Lesson 16: Wiring and Lighting
the House
Students carry out the plans
they developed in Lesson 15.
Lesson 17: Post-Unit
Assessment: Sharing
What We Know about
Electric Circuits
Students revisit their comments
from Lesson 1 and discuss
what they have learned.