Download 4.3_Electricity - Augusta County Public Schools

SCIENCE CURRICULUM
Fourth Grade
Grade: 4
Strand: Electricity/Magnetism
SOL 4.3 Investigate and understand the
characteristics of electricity.
Understanding the Standard
This standard focuses on the characteristics of electricity as related to circuits and circuit components,
magnetism, static charges, and historical contributions important to its understanding. As electrical energy is an
integral part of modern civilization—powering our computers; lighting, heating and cooling our homes and
businesses; and making the information age possible, it is critical that students begin to understand basic
electricity concepts. This standard will be the basis for a more in-depth study in the eighth grade. It is intended
that students will actively develop scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic skills (4.1) in the context of the
key concepts presented in this standard.
Essential Questions
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes
The student should be able to:
 What is the difference
between a conductor and
 Apply the terms insulators, conductors, open and closed in describing
an insulator?
electrical circuits.




What is the difference
between and open and
closed circuit?
What is the difference
between a series and a
parallel circuit?
What is static electricity
and how is it created?
Who are the major
contributors to our
understanding of
electricity? What are their
contributions?

Differentiate between and open and closed electric circuit.

Use the dry cell symbols (-) and (+).

Create and diagram a functioning series circuit using dry cells, wires,
switches, bulbs, and bulb holders.

Create and diagram a functioning parallel circuit using dry cells, wires,
switches, bulbs, and bulb holders.

Differentiate between a parallel and series circuit.

Create a diagram of a magnetic field using a magnet.

Compare and contrast a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.

Explain how electricity is generated by a moving magnetic field.

Design an investigation using static electricity to attract or repel a
variety of materials.

Explain how static electricity is created and occurs in nature.

Construct a simple electromagnet using a wire, nail or other ironbearing object, and a dry cell.

Design and perform an investigation to determine the strength of an
electromagnet.

Describe the contributions of Ben Franklin, Michael Faraday, and
Thomas Edison to the understanding and harnessing of electricity.
SCIENCE VOCABULARY
Conductors, insulators, series circuit, parallel circuit, open circuit, closed
circuit, static electricity, magnetic field, electromagnet, repel attract, Benjamin
Franklin, Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison
Assessment and Strategies
Assessment
Marzano Strategies

Teacher observation/anecdotal records

Test

MIND notes

Student created data charts

Electricity Kit lab/activity reports

Projects
All strategies should be considered with an emphasis on
the following:

Generate/Hypothesis

Similarities and Differences

Nonlinguistic Representation

Summarize/Note Taking

Compare/Contrast

Cooperative Learning Groups
Resources and Activities

Enhanced Scope and Sequence

Fourth Grade Science Curriculum and Resource Guide



McGraw Hill (p. F66-F99)
Electricity Kit (supplied by Augusta County Public Schools)
Other Resources
“Electrical Safety World” student booklets offered free of charge (upon request) by Dominion Power
Company (www.domsafety.com/schools)
AIMS – Mostly Magnets (located in your school’s library)
 Videos
Bill Nye – Static Electricity, Magnetism, Energy, Electrical Currents
Animated Hero Classics: “Thomas Edison and the Electric Light”
Animated Hero Classics: “Benjamin Franklin, Scientist and Inventor”
 United Streaming
Hot Line: All About Electricity
Getting To Know Electricity
Junior Electrician-Magnetism
Magnets-A First Look
Electricity and Magnetism: The Magic of Magnets
Dr. Dad’s PH3: Episode Three: Electromagnetism

Suggested Literature
Fact Finders Great Inventions The Light Bulb by Marc Tyler Nobleman (Capstone Press)
Fact Finders Questions and Answers: Physical Science Electricity
(Capstone Press)
Fact Finders Questions and Answers: Physical Science Magnetism (Capstone Press)
Childhood of Famous Americans Thomas A. Edison Young Inventor
by Sue Guthridge (Aladdin Paperbacks)
Childhood of Famous Americans Benjamin Franklin Young Printer by Augusta Stevenson (Aladdin
Paperbacks)
The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip by Joanna Cole