Make and Test a Switch

Year 4 ScienceElectricity4 pages

About this worksheet

A Year 4 practical on switches, set over three pages. Page 1 explains open and closed switches with two circuit diagrams, one with the lamp off and one with it lit, and two sentences to complete. Page 2 gives four steps with photos for a switch made from folded card, kitchen foil and two split pins. On page 3 pupils record, for the flap up and pressed down, whether the switch is open or closed, whether the circuit is complete and whether the lamp lit. Two questions then ask about switches at home. The answer page fills the table and gives sample answers. It meets the Year 4 electricity statement on switches.

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Page 1 of 4

Make and Test a Switch: Electricity - page 1
Make and Test a Switch: Electricity - page 2
Make and Test a Switch: Electricity - page 3
Make and Test a Switch: Electricity - page 4

When this preview is focused, use the left and right arrow keys to move between pages.

Curriculum objectives covered

Year 4 - Electricity

“recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit”

The page 3 table links the flap up and pressed down to open, closed, complete, incomplete and whether the lamp lit.

Year 4 - Electricity

“construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts, including cells, wires, bulbs, switches and buzzers”

Step 4 has pupils clip their card switch into a circuit with a cell, a lamp and three wires.

Working scientifically - Lower key stage 2

“recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables”

Pupils record both tests in the page 3 results table.

What's inside this worksheet

How a Switch Works in a Simple Series Circuit

Two circuit diagrams side by side, an open switch with the lamp off and a closed switch with the lamp lit, and two sentences to complete with open, closed, lights or does not light.

Make a Card and Foil Switch

A kit list and four photo steps: fold the card, add the foil, push in the split pins, then clip the switch into a circuit and press the flap.

Test Your Switch

A results table with two rows, flap up and flap pressed down, and columns for open or closed, complete or incomplete, and whether the lamp lit.

Switches at Home

Pupils name three things at home with a switch, then give two reasons why switches are useful.

Answers

The completed sentences and results table, with sample answers such as a bedroom light, a kettle and a torch.

How teachers use it

Prepare the kit

Cut the card and foil strips before the lesson. Split pins are the slow part for small fingers, so pair pupils up for step 3.

Board demo

Draw the two page 1 circuits on the board and flick a real light switch while pupils call out open or closed.

Design challenge

Once the card switch works, ask pupils to make one that stays closed without being held. A paperclip that swings across both split pins works well.

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