Teaching Suggestions for using Task Cards.

1. 2. 3. Print out task cards and glue to construction paper. Laminate each card. Store in manila folder labeled static electricity.

These are simple tasks that require balloons as a basic material to explore static electricity. They are designed for grades 3-5. They can be completed by younger children with assistance. Use as small group activities that can be completed in 20 minutes. The groups can rotate through each activity on a day-to-day basis, or several in one day.

Static Electricity Task Card A Attract & Repel

Materials:
Each Group-2 balloons, 2 pieces of string about 30 cm. long, and a strip of cloth (wool, nylon, or polyester)

Procedures:
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Blow up 2 balloons and tie knots in them so they stay inflated. Tie a piece of string to each balloon. Hold both balloons above your table or desk. Slowly bring the 2 balloons closer together, but do not let them touch. What do you observe? Take only one balloon and rub it very quickly with a strip of cloth. Repeat step 3. What do you observe? Rub both balloons with the strip of cloth. Repeat step 3. What do you observe?

Static Electricity Task Card B Hanging Around

Materials:
Each student-1 Balloon and a strip of cloth (wool, nylon, and polyester work best)

Procedures:
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Blow up the balloons and tie knots in them so they stay inflated. Rub the balloons with a strip of cloth and take the balloons to the wall. Hold them against the wall and then slowly let them go. What do you observe? Rub the balloons again and take them to the door. What happens? Rub the balloons again and take them to the window. Describe what happens? Rub the balloons again and take them to a metal object like the door knob or the trim around the board? Explain what happens?

Static Electricity Task Card C Stuck On You

Materials:
Each student-1 Balloon and a strip of cloth (wool, nylon, and polyester work best)

Procedures:
1) 2) 3) 4) Blow up the balloons and tie knots in them so they stay inflated. Rub the balloons with a strip of cloth and hold them against your thigh. What happens? Rub the balloons again and hold them against your chest. What happens? Rub the balloons again and hold them against your shoe. Describe what happens? Take a step and observe what happens. 5) Rub the balloons again and move them back and forth above your bare arms? Explain what happens? 6) Rub the balloons again and move them near your head. What happens to your hair?

Static Electricity Task Card D Follow the Leader

Materials:
Each student-1 Balloon, 1 piece of string 30 cm. long, a strip of cloth (wool, nylon, and polyester work best), a pen, a pencil, a book, and a piece of tape

Procedures:
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Blow up the balloons and tie knots in them so they stay inflated. Tie the string to the balloon and tape it to your desk so that the balloon hangs down toward the floor. Rub the balloons with the cloth. Hold your pencil near the balloon. Slowly move the pencil. What happens? Repeat the process and hold your pen near the balloon. What happens? Repeat the process and hold your book near the balloon. What happens? Repeat the process and hold your hand near the balloon. What happens as you slowly move your hand away?

Static Electricity Task Card E Twirling String

Materials:
Each student-1 Balloon, 2 pieces of string 30 cm. long, a strip of cloth (wool, nylon, and polyester work best)

Procedures:
1) Blow up the balloons and tie knots in them so they stay inflated. 2) Tape one piece of string to your desk so that it hangs down toward the floor. Tape the other piece of string to the top of your desk and place it so that it creates a spiral design. 3) Rub the balloons with the cloth. Hold your balloons near the tip of the string that is hanging down. Slowly move your balloon up. What happens? 4) Repeat the process and hold your balloon near the string. Slowly move your balloon up and down. What happens? 5) Repeat the process and hold your balloon above the string on your desk. Slowly lift up your balloon. What happens? 6) Repeat the process and hold your balloon above the string on your desk. Slowly move your hand in a circular path. What happens?