Curated OER
Plant Cycles
Students identify plants parts and their functions. In this plant cycle instructional activity, students examine parts of plants and how the parts help them survive in its environment. Students use graphic organizers, the internet,...
Curated OER
Lightning Rod
In this lightning rod worksheet, students make a lightning rod out of batteries, breadboard, light bulbs, wires, and more. Students also answer 2 questions.
Curated OER
Characteristics of Energy
Learners explore Earth science by completing energy worksheets in class. In this energy forms lesson, students identify and define a list of energy vocabulary terms and a K-W-L chart. Learners view a matter video clip in class and...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Energy in Motion
Fifth graders explore energy transfer. In this thermal energy lesson, 5th graders stretch rubber bands several times and estimate the band's temperature change. Students identify this action as an example of thermal energy. Students...
Curated OER
Making A Compass
This interesting science lesson is about the compass. Students make a compass out of a magnet, sewing needle, cork, and a glass dish. The lesson includes both a pre and post-test for the students to take, and some very good links to...
Curated OER
Food Webs
Fourth graders discover how organisms depend upon each other in an ecosystem. In this ecosystems lesson plan, 4th graders use food webs to discuss the interdependence between organisms in an ecosystem.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity: Circuit Connections: Series Circuits
When two or more electrical devices in a circuit can be connected, it is considered a series connection or a parallel connection. When all the devices are connected using series connections, the circuit is referred to as a series...
Concord Consortium
Mobile Inquiry Technology: Parallel Versus Series Circuits
For this lesson, students actively investigate the differences between parallel and series circuits and how the brightness of bulbs is affected.
National Geographic
National Geographic: Building Circuits
In this lesson, students build series and parallel circuits and test their conductivity. Includes handouts with diagrams, and a vocabulary list with definitions.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity: Combination Circuits
Explains what a combination circuit is, reviews the features of series and parallel circuits, and demonstrates how to analyze combination circuits. Includes detailed examples and some problems for students to try. There is also a link to...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Parallel Circuits
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, students learn what a parallel circuit is and how it differs from a series circuit.
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Series and Parallel Circuits
The core of this lesson is simple circuits and the differences between parallel and series circuit design. Students perform experiments to test the differences between the two circuit designs using low voltage light bulbs.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Introduction to Circuits and Ohm's Law
Students will explore the basics of dc circuits analyzing the light from light bulbs when connected in series and parallel circuits. Ohm's Law and the equation for power dissipated by a circuit will be the primary equations used. Using...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Resistors in Series and Parallel
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The differences between series and parallel circuits are highlighted. Provides an in-depth look at how to solve problems about circuits and resistors. Includes a...
Other
Tech Topics: Electricity: Circuits
What is a circuit? How does it work? The animated diagrams and accompanying text will make it easy to understand the concept of circuits!
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Series and Parallel Circuits
Wikipedia offers information on two basic ways of wiring components in electrical circuits, series and parallel circuits.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Parallel in a Series Circuit
Determine the amount of power dissipated in a resistor in a complex circuit.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law I
Students will work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. It analyzes Ohm's Law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Series and Parallel Circuits
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What series and parallel circuits are and how they differ.
Other
Easyphysics: Chapter 14 Basic Circuit
Learners investigate circuits. Some topics examined are a series circuit, parallel circuit, and Joule?s law. The resource includes practice problems with solutions and a chapter quiz.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Calculating Equivalent Resistance for Series and Parallel Resistor
Practice finding the equivalent resistance for parallel and series resistor configurations in this four-problem quiz.
Read Works
Read Works: Electricity & Energy Circuits
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about electric circuits. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Electric Circuits: Circuit Connections: Parallel Circuits
When two or more electrical devices in a circuit are connected, it is known as a series connection or a parallel connection. When all the devices are connected using parallel connections, the circuit is referred to as a parallel circuit....
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity: Building Circuits in Elementary Science Class
In this exploration activity, students compare the difference between series circuits and parallel circuits using wire, light bulbs, and D batteries.