Lesson Plan : Electricity - Introduction

Teacher
Name:
Rachel Hiatt
Grade: Grade 7-8
Subject: Science

Topic: Electricity
Content:
What is electricity? How does it work? How does it apply to
life?/What are its uses and applications?
Goals:
Students will gain a better understanding of what electricity is
based on their current (no pun intended) and previous experience
with electricity. Students understand that moving charges transfer
electricity.
Objectives:
Assimilate previous knowledge about electricity with what will be
learned. Describe how charged particles behave. Determine how
electrons cause charges to build up. Explain how static electricity
is used in technology.
Materials:
SQ3R template - possibly set up on power point/overhead to help
students independently take notes. Newspaper plastic bags lab
materials for making a static detector - metal paper clip, clear
plastic cup with hole, modeling clay, ball of foil, 2 strips of foil,
inflated balloons Computer lab - Rose-Prism.org - BrainPOP
Electricity Power point notes - (possibly)
Introduction:
Students will enter classroom with virtually no electricity (lights
and computers off)Pose question - what electricity is off and how
does it make life difficult? What electricity is still on? Turn on
lights and discuss. (5-10 minutes)
Development:
For 5-10 minutes -have students write down everything they
currently know about electricity. Break into groups and look for
similarities, and categories that everyone's information can be
grouped into -- ask for suggestions from class for categories before
giving hints. Some may be: uses, how it works, what it is, etc...
Inform students that they will begin with the basics of how
electricity works--going back to charges on atoms. (5-10 minutes)
Demonstrate with tape on a student.
Practice:
Students will complete lab investigation involving newspaper and
paper bag and then draw conclusion about how materials can
become charged based on lab. (10-15 minutes) Students will
complete SQ3R notes for Section 1-1 in text using outline.
Accommodations:
Students will be able to work with a partner to complete SQ3R
notes. Teacher will be available to monitor and "walk-through" lab
investigations with students. Students are offered "hands-on
experience" as well as experience enhancing independent study
skills while having an outline to follow.
Checking For
Understanding:
Lab Rubric Quiz over material Observation Homework
Closure:
Ask students to look back at electricity web created at the
beginning of the unit and write a brief paragraph about how what
they learned assimilated into the web.
Evaluation:
Rubric on labs - was there an understanding of the concepts
presented based on the students observations and analysis? Quizzes
- was there an understanding of the concepts presented based on a
"C" average or better on assignments for this section. Could
students effectively assimilate what they learned with what they
already knew?
Teacher
Reflections:
May have to adjust based on time constraints for student
performance evaluation.