Six circuit drawings fill page 1 of this 4th grade science sheet, each with a battery, a bulb and wire. Students circle Lights or Does not light under every drawing. Page 2 is a table where they list the four circuits that fail by number and write what is wrong with each. The faults are a gap in a wire, an open switch, both wires on the same end of the battery and a bulb missing from its holder. Page 3 is the answer key.
“Tell an open circuit from a closed circuit by looking at a drawing.”
Page 1 asks for a decision on all six drawings.
“Say why a bulb does not light, for example a gap, an open switch or a missing bulb.”
The table on page 2 asks for a reason for circuits 2, 3, 5 and 6.
Six boxed drawings numbered 1 to 6, one of them with a closed switch and one with an open switch. Under each drawing students circle Lights or Does not light.
A four-row table with a column for the circuit number and a column for what is wrong. Students first pick out the four circuits that do not light, then write a reason for each on three lines.
Open or closed for all six drawings, then the four reasons: a gap in one wire (circuit 2), an open switch (3), both wires on one end of the battery (5) and a missing bulb (6).
Predict, then test
Have students circle their answers before any equipment comes out. Then build two or three of the drawings with a battery, wire and bulb and let students check their own predictions.
Circuit 5 argument
Circuit 5 is the one students argue about, because the wires look attached. Ask where each wire touches the battery before anyone writes a reason.
Partner reasons
Pairs swap page 2 and read each other's reasons aloud. Listen for words such as gap, open and complete loop.
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