Purpose: Learning Intention

– observe and record information about the working of different battery operated devices

– draw a cutaway diagram of how they think a torch works

– share and discuss observations

TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

* Organise cooperative groups

* Read Teacher background information: It’s Electrifying page 3-4, 6

CURRICULUM LINKS:

* Compare the cost effectiveness of standard and heavy-duty batteries in the same toy

* Explore the effect of harassing electricity for society, for example, lighting appliances, industry and farm machinery

LESSON:

1. Introduce the collection of battery-operated device, including torches.

2. Students will work in cooperative learning teams to explore different battery operated devices. Students will be recording on their iPad. Throughout the term the

3. Explain that each team will explore and record a total of three devices, one will be a torch. The managers will collect the devices one at a time, and return them to the equipment table before taking another device. Ask students to record responses to questions such as;

* What do the device do? (For example, lights up, make a sound.)

* What makes it go? (For example, a switch, a button, a battery)

* How does the device work?

4. Record observations on your iPads using any application.

5. Introduce the class science chat-board and explain that it is designed for students to record pictures, questions, ideas and reflections about that unit as it progresses.

6. Students are going to draw a cutaway diagram of the torch they explored to show how they think it works (that is, how it makes the light bulb glow). Ask students to imagine that they can see inside the torch and draw on their iPad a cutaway of what they think they would see.

7. Using Explain Everything the students as required to ask to explain their diagram. Use Probing questions such as;

* Why do you think that?

* What if…?

* Explain this piece to me

8. Brainstorm the role of electrical energy in students’ lives. Record lists of the battery operated devices used by students and their families at school, at home and in the community.

9. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of batteries and battery-operated devices. For example, they allow things to be portable such as torches, music players and mobile phones. Batteries go ‘flat’ and are more expensive source of electrical energy than main electricity.

10. Ask students to share their ideas about how a battery works. Record student’s ideas on the class science chat-board under heading such as, “how we think a battery works”.

11. Record key vocabulary

12. Extension questions; * Does the physical size of a battery affect how long it lasts?

* Do AA batteries last longer than AAA batteries?

* Do different brand of the same size battery last the same length of time?