Changing circuits
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Simple electrical circuits, where they explored the basics of how electricity flows through components like wires, bulbs, and batteries. In Changing circuits, pupils will deepen their understanding by learning how adding switches or altering components can change the flow of electricity. This prepares them for the next unit, Series circuits, where they will explore how circuits are connected in series, and how this affects the distribution of electricity and the performance of the components.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Identify common appliances that run on electricity
- Construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts
- Identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery
- Recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
- Recognise some common electrical conductors and insulators
- Associate metals with being good electrical conductors
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils' prior learning from Simple electrical circuits, where they explored the basics of how electricity flows through components like wires, bulbs, and batteries. In Changing circuits, pupils will deepen their understanding by learning how adding switches or altering components can change the flow of electricity. This prepares them for the next unit, Series circuits, where they will explore how circuits are connected in series, and how this affects the distribution of electricity and the performance of the components.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Identify common appliances that run on electricity
- Construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts
- Identify whether or not a lamp will light in a simple series circuit, based on whether or not the lamp is part of a complete loop with a battery
- Recognise that a switch opens and closes a circuit and associate this with whether or not a lamp lights in a simple series circuit
- Recognise some common electrical conductors and insulators
- Associate metals with being good electrical conductors
Physics
Changing circuits
This unit explores how circuit components like lamps and buzzers function, including the effect of cell number and voltage. It covers using symbols in circuit diagrams, planning scientific enquiries, taking precise measurements, recording data, and presenting findings with evidence and conclusions.
16 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Changing circuits unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary science programmes.