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Its Electric! Boogie Woogie Woogie.

Co-authors: Whitney Beem & Ann-Margaret Somers Subject/ Grade Level: 8th grade physical science The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to demonstrate their understating of series and parallel circuits. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify the differences in the two types of circuitry, as well as analyze real world situations and determine which type of circuit would be better suited in different constructions. Duration: 1 class period

Georgia Performance Standard:

S8P5. Students will recognize characteristics of gravity, electricity, and magnetism as major kinds of forces acting in nature. b. Demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of series and parallel circuits and how they transfer energy.

FCS TAG Standard: Creative Thinking & Creative Problem Solving Skills 3. The student incorporates brainstorming and other idea-generating techniques (synetics, SCAMPER, etc.) to solve problems or create new products. 5. The student develops original ideas, presentations, or products through synthesis and evaluation. 6. The student uses analogies, metaphors, or models to explain complex concepts. Higher Order Critical Thinking Skills (HO/CTS) 3. The student conducts comparisons using criteria. 13. The student traces the source of any large disparity between estimates and calculated solutions to problems and resolves the disparity.

Summary/ Overview: Students, based on ability level, will incorporate knowledge about circuits to build models. Level 1 students will build circuits using an online simulator, level 2 students will build circuits using an electronic snap circuit kit, and level 3 students will build circuits using builder grade materials. Enduring Understanding: Students will be able to differentiate between series and parallel circuits and the cost/ benefit trade-off of each type. Essential Question: When would it be beneficial to use a series circuit? A parallel circuit? Activating Strategy: Watch School House Rock Electricity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5dhPas_18w). Students will discuss the important facts learned/reminded while watching the video.

Teaching Strategy:

1. Grouping of Students Students will be grouped based upon results of a ticket-out-the-door from the prior lesson. Level 1: pHet simulator Level 2: Electronic snap circuit kit Level 3: Builder grade materials 2. Build Your Own Circuitry Each level is required to build both series and parallel circuits, each using a different method to create the models. After building is complete, each group will answer questions that allow them to analyze both their processes and final products. 3. Differentiation The entirety of the lesson is differentiated, but all though all 3 tasks are entitled Its Electric, they are based off of different materials, different verbiage for directions and questions, and different levels of higher order thinking are required for each tier of the 3 tier lesson. Level 1 groups can receive more detailed guidance from the teacher. If level 1 group finishes early, they may attempt to build using level 2 materials with level 2 directions. If level 2 groups finish early, they may attempt to build using level 3 materials with level 3 directions. Also, if a level 2 group or level 3 group struggles, a change in group level may be required to further assist them in the learning process. If a level 3 group finishes early, they will be instructed to create an electrical diagram of a 1 story house, making sure to use appropriate symbols and decide which rooms should be series or parallel or a mixture. In addition to the diagram, they must write a 1 page proposal detailing how they came to their decisions. This will be used in place of the summary.

Summary Students will be posed with the following scenario: Builder Bob is building a new home. Draft a proposal as to which rooms should be wired on a series circuit and which rooms should be wired on a parallel circuit. Explain your decisions in terms of why one type of circuit is superior in certain situations but not others. As a group, students must discuss and draft their proposal and turn in at the end of class.

Its Electric! Today, you will be investigating series and parallel circuits. Follow the directions below very carefully to make sure you are being safe. Each group will have a different means of investigation, but everyone will learn the same principals. At the end of this lesson, everyone will come back together to discuss their end results and how they came to their conclusions. PHET Simulation You will be using the PHET Simulation entitled DC Circuits (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-constructionkit-dc) to complete this activity. Make sure you clear the board after each build. Circuit Build #1 Create a circuit consisting of 1 battery, 1 light bulb, wire and a complete loop. a) Remove the battery by right clicking on the icon and reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit? b) Return the battery but remove the light bulb. Reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit and why?

c) Return the light bulb and flip the battery. What happens to the charge flow?

d) Add a second battery to the circuit such that it is connected to one end of the existing battery. Does it matter which way you connect the battery?

Circuit Build #2

Construct a series circuit with 2 light bulbs and 1 battery ( and wire of course)

a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Battery _________ Light bulb 1 _______ Light bulb 2 _________ b) Add another battery. Explain the effect to the resistor. c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Circuit Build #3

Construct a parallel circuit with one battery and 2 light bulbs, making sure there are multiple paths from the power source. a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Battery _________ Light bulb 1 _______ Light bulb 2 _________

b) Add another battery. Explain the effect to the resistor.

c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Analysis Questions 1. Explain the differences between Circuit Build #2 and Circuit Build #3.

2. If a series circuit consists of 1 path to the power source, explain a situation where that would be beneficial.

3. If a parallel circuit consists of 2 or more paths to the power source, explain a situation where that would be beneficial.

Its Electric! Today, you will be investigating series and parallel circuits. Follow the directions below very carefully to make sure you are being safe. Each group will have a different means of investigation, but everyone will learn the same principals. At

the end of this lesson, everyone will come back together to discuss their end results and how they came to their conclusions. Electronic Snap Circuits Use the Electronic Snap Circuits to build your own circuits following the guidelines below. Circuit Build #1 Create a circuit consisting of 1 battery, 1 resistor, wire and a complete loop. a) Remove the battery and reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit? b) Return the battery but remove the resistor. Reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit and why?

c) Return the resistor and flip the battery. What happens to the charge flow?

d) Add a second battery to the circuit such that it is connected to one end of the existing battery. Does it matter which way you connect the battery?

Circuit Build #2 Construct a series circuit with 2 resistors and 1 battery ( and wire of course)

a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Battery _________ Resistor 1 _______ Resistor 2 _________ b) Add another battery. Explain the effect to the resistor.

c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Circuit Build #3 Construct a parallel circuit with one battery and 2 resistors, making sure there are multiple paths from the power source. a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Battery _________ Resistor 1 _______ Resistor 2 _________

b) Add another battery. Explain the effect to the resistor.

c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Analysis Questions 1. Explain the differences between Circuit Build #2 and Circuit Build #3.

2. Based on your results, explain a situation where a series circuit would be beneficial. Make sure to reference what you learned from the boards.

3. Based on your results, explain a situation where a parallel circuit would be beneficial. Make sure to reference what you learned from the boards.

Its Electric! Today, you will be investigating series and parallel circuits. Follow the directions below very carefully to make sure you are being safe. Each group will have a different means of investigation, but everyone will learn the same principals. At the end of this lesson, everyone will come back together to discuss their end results and how they came to their conclusions. Builder Grade Materials Use the builder grade materials to build your own circuits following the guidelines below. When you are done, make sure to take apart all materials and neatly put them back in the correct containers. Circuit Build #1 Create a circuit consisting of 1 power source, 1 resistor, wire and a complete loop. a) Remove the power source and reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit? b) Return the power source but remove the resistor. Reconnect the wire. What happens in the circuit and why?

c) Return the resistor and flip the power source. What happens to the charge flow?

d) Add a second power source to the circuit such that it is connected to one end of the existing power source. Does it matter which way you connect the power source?

Circuit Build #2 Construct a series circuit with 2 resistors and 1 power source ( and wire of course) a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Power Source _________ Resistor 1 _______ Resistor 2 _________ b) Add another power source. Explain the effect to the resistor.

c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Circuit Build #3 Construct a parallel circuit with one power source and 2 resistors, making sure there are multiple paths from the power source. a) Using the voltmeter measure the voltage across the battery and each load. Power Source _________ Resistor 1 _______ Resistor 2 _________

b) Add another power source. Explain the effect to the resistor.

c) Add two switches to the circuit and indicate their effect on the circuit. Do both switches have to be closed? Explain.

Circuit Build #4 a) With this build, you may choose to create your own circuit. You must draw an accurate diagram below of the power sources, resistors, wire, and switches. You need to use the symbols learned in class to create your diagrams.

b) Make some changes to your circuit. Draw new the layout below, using the correct symbols.

c) Explain the differences between your two circuits, making to explain what happened in terms of electricity, resistors, power sources, and any other notable differences.

Analysis Questions 1. Explain the differences between Circuit Build #2 and Circuit Build #3.

2. For each build, explain a situation where each circuit would be beneficial. Make sure to reference what you learned from the builds

3. For each build, explain a situation where each circuit would NOT be beneficial. Make sure to reference what you learned from the builds.

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