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Template for Handheld Lessons and Activities
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Electrical Circuits

Lesson Overview: Students will familiarize themselves with the differences between
parallel and series circuits.

Lesson Tie to Textbook: Harcourt, 5
th
grade edition ©2000.

Learning Objectives/Outcomes: Students illustrate and explain the differences between
series circuits and parallel circuits.

Ties to National Standards:
National Science 5-8.2: Physical Science
As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of:
Transfer of energy.

Ties to Texas State Standards:
(5.8) Science concepts. The student knows that energy occurs in many forms.
(A) differentiate among forms of energy including light, heat, electrical, and solar
energy;
(C) demonstrate that electricity can flow in a circuit and can produce heat, light,
sound, and magnetic effects.

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Science: Physical Science: Electricity

Software Used: Sketchy

Materials Needed: Any standards-based science textbook, handheld computers with
correct software, illustrations of series and parallel circuits, strands of lights (both series
and parallel), batteries, insulated wire, mini-light bulbs, and additional reference material
(if necessary).

Ties to Overall Unit: In gaining a greater understanding of electricity, students will
illustrate how to correctly construct a series circuit and a parallel circuit.

Helpful URL:
http://cipco.apogee.net/foe/fcspo.asp


Vocabulary: series circuit, parallel circuit, electric charge

Teaching the Lesson

1.
Introducing the Lesson:
a. Using strands of lights, provide students with visual examples of both series
and parallel circuits.
b. Have students brainstorm about why one strand of lights will work without all
light bulbs functioning and why the other strand will not.

Copyright 2003-2004 GoKnow, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

3.

2.
Conducting the Lesson:
a. Introduce students to the concepts of series and parallel circuits (Harcourt, pp.
F 70-71) and their different functions.
b. Provide students with illustrations of both types of circuits.
c. Using Sketchy, have students illustrate and label both series and parallel
circuits. Students should pay close attention to the symbols used to correctly
illustrate circuits. They also must correctly depict the flow of electricity in their
illustrations.
d. Once students have created their illustrations, have students test them by
building functioning models. Students should be encouraged to make
necessary changes to their illustrations as they test their drawings.

Concluding the Lesson:
a. Facilitate this lesson by checking students drawings and models to make sure
that they are on the right track.
b. Once they have tested their illustrations and are assured that they work, and
after they demonstrate both series and parallel circuits, allow students to share
their findings with their classmates.
c. Collect the illustrations.

Reflecting on the Lesson

1. Teaching Through Student Misconceptions: Students often misuse symbols when
creating circuits. Provide students with information on the correct scientific symbols.
2. Issues to Consider: Encourage students to find creative and safe ways to create both
parallel and series circuits.

Assessment: During the lesson, assess students by comparing their drawings to the
hands-on models. See example rubric below.




Super Good Needs
Improvement
Illustrations
Illustrations correctly
represent series and
parallel circuits using
correct symbols.
Illustrations include both
series and parallel
circuits and some correct
symbols are used.
Illustrations make an
attempt at illustrating
both series and parallel
circuits; correct symbols
are not included.
Model
Illustrations and models
correctly represent
series and parallel
circuits. Model is fully
functional.
Illustration and model
make a good attempt at
representing series and
parallel circuits. Model
has a few issues with
functionality.
Illustration and model do
not match and there is
little functionality to the
model.
Lesson Written By: Laurie Vondersaar