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Science · Ages 8–9 · 60 minutes

Building simple circuits

Children build a simple series circuit with a cell, wires and a bulb, explain why a circuit must be complete, and use a switch to open and close it.

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Success criteria

  • I can build a complete circuit that lights a bulb
  • I can explain why a gap stops the bulb lighting
  • I can add a switch and say what it does

Key vocabulary

  • circuit
  • cell
  • battery
  • wire
  • bulb
  • switch
  • buzzer
  • complete
  • break
  • conductor
  • insulator

You will need

  • 1.5 V cells (AA) in holders
  • small bulbs in holders
  • crocodile-clip wires
  • simple switches
  • buzzers
  • test materials (foil, a paper clip, a plastic spoon, wood, a coin, a rubber)
  • a box to collect any damaged or leaking cells

Curriculum links

  • Year 4· England

Practice sheets

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The lesson at a glance

60 minutes in all. Timings are a guide: follow your class.

  1. Step 1: Starter

    Show pictures of a torch, a kettle, a fridge, a remote control and a toy car.
    5–10 min

  2. Step 2: Teach

    Hold up each component and name it: "A cell pushes electricity round the circuit.
    10–15 min

  3. Step 3: Guided practice

    Pairs build a circuit to light one bulb.
    18 minutes

  4. Step 4: Independent practice

    Children draw their working circuit and label every part.

  5. Step 5: Plenary

    Show four drawings of circuits on the board, two that work and two that don't (a gap, a bulb connected at one end only).

  6. Step 6: Assessment for learning

    Can children build a working circuit without help?

  7. Step 7: Differentiation

    Support: give a photo of a working circuit to copy and pre-cut wires.

  8. Step 8: Common misconceptions

    "Electricity only needs one wire to reach the bulb." It needs a complete loop.

  9. Step 9: Home link

    With an adult, count the switches in one room and talk about what each one turns on and off (look only; do not touch sockets or open devices).

Most children have used hundreds of electrical things and never seen inside one. In this lesson they light a bulb with three components, break the circuit on purpose, and find out why the switch on the wall works.

1.Starter

5–10 min

Show pictures of a torch, a kettle, a fridge, a remote control and a toy car. Ask: "Which of these use electricity? Which use cells (batteries) and which plug in?" Make two lists. Then ask: "What is the same about all of them?" Seven minutes.

2.Teach

10–15 min

Hold up each component and name it:

  • "A cell pushes electricity round the circuit. People often call it a battery." (Strictly, a battery is two or more cells joined together.)
  • "Wires carry the electricity."
  • "A bulb lights up when electricity flows through it."

Build a circuit in front of the class, deliberately leaving one clip loose. "The bulb is not lit. Why?" Fix it. Script: "Electricity can only flow if there is a complete loop, with no gaps, from one end of the cell, through the bulb and back to the other end. That loop is a circuit."

Add a switch. "A switch makes a gap on purpose. When I press it, the gap closes and the circuit is complete. That is what a light switch does on the wall at home."

  • lamp
  • bell
  • lightning
  • computer
A bulb, a buzzer and the electricity that runs them.

The rest of the plan

Guided and independent practice, the plenary, assessment for learning, differentiation, common misconceptions and the home link are free with a Crayonbird account.

  1. Guided practice18 minutes
  2. Independent practice
  3. Plenary
  4. Assessment for learning
  5. Differentiation
  6. Common misconceptions
  7. Home link
See the whole plan, free

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