Circuit Lesson Plan
Main Idea of the Lesson:
The students will understand the meaning of a conductor an Insulators and how it works in a closed circuit.
TEKS for lesson: 3.3B 3.6A
Objective/s- Write objective/s in SWBAT form
The SWBAT:
1. The students will detect the behavior of conductors and
insulators in an electrical circuit.
2. Students will Learn to recognize that they can use a closed
circuit to Identify conductors and Insulators.
Evaluation
In the space below, write at least one question to match the objective you listed or describe what you will
look at to be sure that students can do this.
1. What do the items that work have in common?
2. Can we take the items from the two groups that work and do not work
and give a definition of each group?
3. Do they understand from the previous lesson that we must use a closed
circuit when testing the other items?
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 Circuit Lesson Plan

Engagement: Estimated Time: 10 minuets

Description of Activity:
Get Students to have a brief idea about conductors and insulators. Have them get in a circle and Hold hands to light up the energy bulb.

What the teacher does:
1. Teacher introduces to the class the energy
bulb and how it works.
2. Teacher fills in the review sheet on closed
and open circuits.
3. Teacher asks Students to get up and form a
circle.
4. Teacher tests a Marker in the circle.
What the student does:
1. Students listen to teachers
explanation.
2. Students Follow along and fill in
Handout for notes.
3. Students follow directions of
Teachers.
4. Students think about why the
Marker doesnt work and how the
binder clip does.
Possible questions to ask students think like a
student and consider possible student responses
1. What do you think should go in the blank for
the closed circuit? What about the open?
2. Think in your head about why the one of the
materials worked and why the other did not
work?

5. Teacher tests Binder clip in the circle.

Resources Needed: Safety Considerations:

Energy Ball, Binder Clip, Marker No Pushing or Squeezing Hands.

2
 Circuit Lesson Plan

Exploration: Estimated Time: 15 min

Overview of Activity: Students predict of the materials will work and will not work on the Handout. Then students will test the materials in the circuits.

What the teacher does: What the student does: Possible questions to ask students think like a
student and consider possible student responses

1. The teacher gives clear instructions on
how the students will choose if the
materials work or dont and fill it in on
their chart.
2. The teacher will then give instructions
that they will now test their predictions
using the circuits.
3. Then the observing teacher will hand out
the circuits and other materials that will
be tested.
1. The students listen to directions and 1. What are we going to do for each material?
then check the box on the handout
under works or doesnt work for 2. Think about what the things that make the
each material. light bulb work, what do they have in
2. Then the students will test and common?
record their answers on the 2nd chart
of the handout for their
observations.

Resources Needed: Circuit Kits (battery, light bulb, battery clip, light bulb holder, wires) Other Test Materials ( Clay , string,
paperclips)

Safety Considerations: To be careful with wires and if it is hot raise hand and tell the teacher.

3
 Circuit Lesson Plan

Explanation: Estimated Time: 10 min

Overview of Activity: Students will share what they have discovered. Students will fill out class list and then will fill in a new vocabulary word
(Conductor and Insulator) to better understand what makes a closed circuit work.

What the teacher does:
1. Teacher asks different groups for
Different materials that worked and
didnt work when they tested them.
2. Teacher has a student record their
findings on the class paper.
3. Lastly Teacher introduces the vocabulary
words Conductor and insulator to the
students to add to the charts on the
students handout.
What the student does:
1. Student tells the class if the material
asked worked or didnt
2. A student comes from each group to
write on the class paper what
worked and didnt work.
3. Students Fill in vocab on work sheet.
Possible questions to ask students think like a
student and consider possible student responses
1. When you tested _______ Material did it
work?
2. What is a name you would give to the
materials that work?
3. What is the name that you would give to the
materials that dont work?

Resources Needed: Handouts, Marker Safety Considerations: None

4
 Circuit Lesson Plan

Elaboration: Estimated Time: 10 min

Overview of Activity: Students will now fill in WHY the materials that are conductors (work) or insulator (dont work). Teacher will ask questions to
make a definition of how conductors are part of the closed circuit.

What the teacher does: What the student does: Possible questions to ask students think like a
student and consider possible student responses

1. Teacher will ask students to come up and
put down why a material worked.
2. Teacher will add to the closed circuit
definition the idea of a conductor.
1. Student will explain why they think 1. What do the insulators have in common?
the material didnt work or did 2. What do the conductors have in common?
work. 3. Why do you think the conductors all work?
2. Students will think about and have a 4. Will a closed circuit work if there in an
discussion on what the conductors insulator?
have in common and what the
insulators have in common.
3. Students will add to their definition
of a closed circuit.

Resources Needed: Handout, Pen Safety Considerations: None

5

Evaluation: Estimated Time: Throughout
Description of Activity: Teacher checks students understanding of Conductors and Insulators.
What the teacher does:
1. Teacher makes sure students are testing
materials correctly.
2. Have a strong idea about conductors and
insulators.
3. Have a clear definition of circuits.
Resources Needed: None
Circuit Lesson Plan
What the student does: Possible questions to ask students think like a
student and consider possible student responses
1. Students are testing materials 1. What makes a conductor work?
correctly. 2. Why doesnt an Insulator work?
2. Students have a good understanding 3. How can we include this in the closed circuit
of the characteristics of insulators definition?
and conductors.
3. Students come up with ideas about
how this can relate to closed
circuits.
Safety Considerations: None