B6 Science · Term 2 Week 11: Electricity and Electronics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B6.4.2.1.3 - Know conductors, semi-conductors and insulators

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define conductors, semi-conductors and insulators in their own words with at least two examples of each.
Predict and then test whether common household and everyday items conduct electricity using a simple open-circuit tester.
Classify at least 10 given materials correctly as conductors, semi-conductors or insulators based on their test results.
Explain, using the idea of insulators, why electrical wires in homes are coated with plastic and why plugs and sockets are made of plastic or rubber.
State at least one modern device that depends on semi-conductors (such as an LED or a diode) and describe what it does in the circuit.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Forces and Energy (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Electricity and Electronics (4.2)
Content standard: B6.4.2.1 - Demonstrate knowledge of generation of electricity, its transmission and transformation into other forms
Indicator: B6.4.2.1.3 - Know conductors, semi-conductors and insulators
Suggested placement: Term 2, Week 11 (Week 23 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 41
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Gather items such as bulbs, battery, electric wires.
- Brainstorm with learners on the meaning of the terms "conductors", "semi-conductors" and "insulators" with examples.
- Learners are provided the following materials (spoons, foils, drinking straw, plastic materials, piece of wood, glass rod, leather, nails, keys, pencils, pens, LEDs, diodes, etc.) for an activity.
- Connect a simple electrical circuit (an open circuit) using a bulb, battery and connecting wire.
- Learners use the open circuit to classify the materials provided as conductors, semi- conductors and insulators.
- Learners explain why the electrical wires in their homes are coated with plastics