Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.C.2.1.3
Grade 04 Science - EC: S4.C.2.1.3
Continuum of Activities
The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.
This continuum of activities offers:
- Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
- Questions/activities that grow in complexity
- Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance
Grade Levels
4th Grade
Course, Subject
Science
Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content
Activities
- Name two things that all circuits must have in order to operate.
- Draw a series circuit with two light bulbs, a switch, and a battery.
- Draw a parallel circuit with two light bulbs, a switch, and a battery.
- Below is a series circuit. Will electricity run through this circuit? If not, how would you fix the circuit so the electricity will flow? If necessary, draw a new picture of the completed circuit.
- Below is a parallel circuit. Will electricity run through this circuit? If not, how would you fix the circuit so the electricity will flow? If necessary, draw a new picture of the completed circuit.
- Your friend, Tony, would like to build a circuit for three light bulbs. He is not sure if he should build a series or a parallel circuit. Make a list of the pros and cons of each type of circuit then write a paragraph explaining which type of circuit Tony should build for three light bulbs.
Answer Key/Rubric
- Wire and a power source (battery)
- Answers should look similar to:
- Answers should look similar to:
- Electricity will not run through this circuit because there is not a battery and the switch is open. There must be a battery within the circuit, and the switch must be closed in order for electricity to run through this circuit.
New picture should look similar to:
- Electricity will not run through this circuit because the switch is open and there are sections that are missing wire. The switch must be closed, and wire needs to be added to close the circuit in order for electricity to run through this circuit. New picture should look similar to:
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Series circuits need less wire.
- If one light bulb in the series circuit is broken, none of the bulbs will glow.
- Since all of the bulbs on a series circuit use the same current, they do not glow at their brightest.
- Since all light bulbs on a parallel circuit have their own connection to the battery, all the bulbs glow at their brightest.
- Since all light bulbs on a parallel circuit have their own connection to the battery, even if one bulb is broken, the others are not affected, and will still glow.
- Parallel circuits require more wire than series circuits.
- A parallel circuit should be used so that all of the bulbs shine the brightest and the other two bulbs won’t be affected if one of the bulbs breaks.
