The modern world would not be possible without electricity. Electricity lights our homes and industries; powers many forms of transportation; supplies complex lines of communication through telephones, televisions, radios, and computers; and provides us with a dizzying array of labor-saving devices, both in the home and at the workplace. What’s more, a knowledge of electricity has given scientists new ways to pursue other disciplines--chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine.

Children, too, are fascinated with electricity. They wonder how it powers so many different kinds of devices. This unit, Electric Circuits, will help them begin to answer their many questions by opening the door to the world of electricity. The unit makes use of electrical "stuff," such as wires, bulbs, and batteries, and includes investigations that are both useful and fun. Although the unit was originally designed and tested for grade 4, it could be taught at grades 3 or 5, as well.

Electric Circuits is divided into three parts. In the first part, Lessons 1 through 6, students are introduced to the basic properties of electricity and learn about electric circuits and the parts of a light bulb. During the middle section, Lessons 7 through 10, students learn about conductors and insulators. They also learn about the symbols used to represent the parts of a circuit in circuit diagrams. In the last half of the unit, Lessons 11 through 16, students explore different kinds of circuits, learn about switches, construct a flashlight, and discover the properties of diodes. The unit culminates with students wiring a cardboard box house.

The Appendices include many suggestions for post-unit assessments. They also provide information about preparing materials and constructing hidden circuit boxes. The Bibliography has suggestions of books that will help students see how discoveries in electricity fit into the history of the United States, as well as books that will help students delve further into the scientific and technological aspects of electricity.

You do not have to be an expert in electricity to teach this unit. The background sections of the Teacher’s Guide will provide you with most of the information you need. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself learning along with the students, and if you and your students find yourselves faced with puzzling questions. Use this situation to model the way scientists learn: define the question, then ask, "How can we find out?" This will encourage your students to find out on their own by experimenting and consulting resource materials.