Shocking! Who knew so many great ideas existed for teaching middle schoolers about electricity? Find them all within this energetic framework. You'll light up at the variety of printable and web-based resources within! After building their skills through simulation, partnered pupils try their hands at creating their own electrical circuits.

Concepts

force, electric circuits, voltage, mechanical energy, electric currents, conductors, resistance, parallel circuits, series circuits

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• The Worldometers website, which constantly updates statistics on a variety of things, can be a real eye-opener for young learners; as a part of the renewable energy discussion, provide articles that show different types of renewable energy sources
• Charge your early finishers with locating additional information, as well as opportunities for student leadership, on the need.org website

Classroom Considerations

• A subscription is necessary for all Discovery Education videos and Gizmo interactives; check to see if these resources are available to you
• Plan a few days at the computer lab to facilitate research for the model-building project and other activities

Pros

• The unit map is thoughtfully prepared and includes all necessary printable materials
• Renewable energy sources play a big role throughout; this gets the class focused on the future

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.7 RST.6-8.8 WHST.6-8.7