Electrical Circuits and Components

Year 6

Unit Overview

In this Science unit, we will learn all about electrical circuits, their components and how they function. By the end of the unit, we will be able to recognise how the voltage of cells affects the output of a circuit and record circuits using standard symbols.

We will learn how a lamp, cell, wire and switch work together to make a circuit and make a range of circuits and use symbols to draw circuit diagrams. We will learn about electric currents and measure the voltage of different cells.

We will investigate how cells produce electricity and answer research questions about cells and batteries. We will also learn how the voltage across a circuit affects the performance of different components.

Through exploring how programmable devices are used in everyday life, we will create a program to switch a light on and off via a light sensor.

❇ MEMORABLE MOMENT

Competing with our friends to create exciting circuits using a range of scientific equipment in teams.

️✏️ WRITING OPPORTUNITIES

Writing a full experiment: Aim, equipment, method, results and conclusion.

🌳 LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Electrical safety in the home. Applying your learning in your home and teaching your family members.

Unit Sequence: Learning Intentions

  1. To use recognised symbols when representing a circuit in a diagram and to create circuits using a range of electrical components.

  2. To carry out an investigation into how circuits function and what happens when we change and adapt a circuit. Type of Scientific enquiry = Pattern seeking

  3. To research voltage, batteries and cells through investigation. Type of Scientific enquiry = Observing and classifying over time

  4. To design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals using micro:bits (This will be over two lessons)

  5. To create a light sensor using knowledge of computer programming.

Scientific Enquiry: Investigations

In lesson 2:

To carry out an investigation into how circuits function and what happens when we change and adapt a circuit. Type of Scientific enquiry = Pattern seeking

In lesson 3:

To research voltage, batteries and cells through investigation. Type of Scientific enquiry = Observing and classifying over time

🏁 BIG FINISH

Create a full electrical investigation in to how electricity travels. Using all of the knowledge from the unit, we will use a range of complex equipment to create a fantastic circuit.

📖 FOCUS TEXT(S)

The Stars beneath our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Electricity, DK Find Out.