Gold Seal Lesson:
Work It Circuit

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

K-4

ICLE Standards:

Physical Science: Develop an understanding of light, heat, electricity, and magnetism.

Communication: Communicate using writing, oral demonstration, and diagrams.

Performance Task:

Note to the teacher: This task should be assigned after the students complete a study of magnetism and electricity. As you know, electricity is a form of energy that power machines. Work with one other student to perform this task. With your partner, think of a simple job that you would like a machine to do for you that uses light, heat, sound, or motion. Research and design an electrical invention that uses a complete circuit to do the job you have chosen. Build the invention and test it. Draw a diagram of your invention, showing the components of the complete circuit. Label the power source, the conductors of electrons, the insulators (switches), and the appliances (parts that create light, heat, sound, or motion). In your science journal, write a paragraph describing your invention. State and justify the usefulness of your invention. With your partner, use your diagram and
invention to give an informal oral presentation demonstrating the invention to your classmates.

Knowledge / Skills:

Plan and apply real or hypothetical models and constructions to facilitate investigation and learning and the solution to practical problems.  (s115)

Circuits in parallel Understand electric current and apply it to conductivity, amperage, resistance, and and series.  (s29)

Understand and use graphs, charts, and visuals to enhance informational writing.  (ela29)

Use writing as a tool for learning in formats such as learning logs, laboratory reports, note-taking, and journals.  (ela40)

Rubric:

4 Points  =  The circuit is a complete path in which the invention does its job consistently. The invention contains the four necessary components. The diagram is fully labeled and neatly drawn. The invention is original and creative. The paragraph in the journal is complete and clearly written. The oral presentation is complete, well developed, and clearly expressed. The student uses expression, eye contact, and clear voices, with appropriate volume for the audience during the entire presentation. The student works well with his/her partner.

3 Points  =  The circuit is a complete path in which the invention does its job most of the time. The invention contains at least three of the required components. The diagram is fairly neat and the components contained in the invention are labeled. The invention is original and somewhat creative. The paragraph in the journal is fairly complete and fairly clearly written. The oral presentation explains the components used in the invention. The student uses only two of the criteria (expression, eye contact, and clear voice) of good speaking; volume is appropriate during most of the presentation. The student works well with his/her partner.

2 Points  =  The circuit is a complete path, but the invention does not do the job. The invention contains only two of the required components. The diagram is incomplete. The invention is neither original nor creative. The paragraph in the journal is vague and the grammar is poor. The oral presentation lacks two of the criteria. The student's volume is too soft for the entire audience to hear. The student does not work well with his/ her partner in performing the task.

1 Point  =  The invention is not a complete circuit. It contains, at most, one of the component parts. The diagram is poorly drawn and it is not labeled. The invention is neither original nor creative. The paragraph in the journal is, if attempted, poorly constructed and meaningless. The student fails to communicate the invention to the class in the oral presentation, using, at most, one of the criteria of good speaking. The audience is unable to hear the speaker. The student is uncooperative with his/her partner.

Keywords:

PHYSICS
ELECTRICITY
MODELS AND CONSTRUCTIONS
SPEAKING
JOURNALS

Grades:

Kg [X] - 1 [X] - 2 [X] - 3 [X] - 4 [X] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [] - 10 [] - 11 [] - 12 []

ICLE Application:

D

© 2000 International Center for Leadership in Education
1587 Route 146 - Rexford - NY - 12148
518.399.2776 Fax: 518.399.7607
135