GRADE: Kindergarten

CONTENT STANDARD: Physical Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Electricity/Magnetism

CONCEPT: Electricity is useful, but dangerous.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 0B2.00 To understand the importance of observing safety rules

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

2.01 identify ways electricity is generated and how it travels.
2.02 formulate rules for using electrical appliances safely.
2.03 formulate rules for using electrical cords and outlets.
2.04 prepare a list of safety hazards in the home and the school.

I. How electricity is generated and travels
II. List safety rules
III. Discuss safety hazards

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Habits of Mind

TN GOAL:

To enable students to demonstrate ways of thinking and acting inherent on the practice of science; and to exhibit an awareness of the historical and cultural contributions to the enterprise of science.

3.5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Science and technology are separate but interdependent entities.

3.5a Science and technology change the environment in beneficial and detrimental ways.

BENCHMARK: Developments in science and technology can improve our quality of life, yet may have negative impact on the environment.

TIME REQUIRED:

60 minutes (can be broken into two sessions)

Sock puppet (use green sock, paint on face, use pipe cleaners for hair - stick them straight up), battery, copper wire, small light bulb

(Use puppet,) "Boys and girls, something awful just happened to me. It hurt me very much. I don't always look this bad! Can anyone guess what happened? (response) "Well to tell you the truth, I wasn't very careful when I was using electricity. Does anyone in here ever use electricity? (response guide, if necessary) So, you can see that electricity helps all of us everyday, but we must be careful when we use it.

Electricity is very useful, but it is also be very powerful. It can light up the darkness and it can heat up a cold room. You must be very careful when you use electricity. It is powerful enough to burn you or your house. It can also shock you. Has anyone ever been shocked by something electrical? (response) Electricity can cause a FATAL shock. That means it could kill you if you don't use it carefully.

Electricity is made or generated. A battery makes a small amount of electricity. Enough to light up a small light. Huge power plants make large amounts of electricity to heat homes, turn on lights, T.V.'s, etc. The generated electricity travels through wires. (Look outside for electrical wires. Demonstrate using a battery, copper wire, and small bulb. Allow the children to experiment with them. Be sure to stress the fact that they will not be shocked by the battery and bulb, but they should not touch electrical parts.

When we plug our appliances in a socket, we are connecting wires for electricity to move. Electricity moves well through wires and water. It won't move through things like plastic or wood. That is why all electrical appliances have their wires wrapped in a plastic cord, so the electricity cannot get out.

Now you know how electricity travels through wires in cords and sockets. Electricity also travels through water. That is why we must be very careful around plugs, cords, sockets, and water.

Using what you know, who can think of some safety rules for using electricity? (Record the children's responses on chart paper.)

(Some safety rules relating to electricity:)
1. Never touch broken electric wires.
2. Never put your finger in an electric socket.
3. Never put anything metal into an electric socket.
4. Never unplug an electrical appliance by pulling on the wire.
5. Never play with electrical appliances or cords.
6. Remember that electricity is powerful enough to cause a severe burn or a fatal shock.

(Show or discuss several home appliances and how they work. Explain the proper use of these appliances. Explain why broken appliances must be repaired.)

(Use puppet again) Puppet, "You did a great job thinking about safety rules for using electricity. Now, I would like to teach you a song to help you remember to be careful around electricity." (Sing to the tune of "This Old Man")

Never touch broken cords
Tell Mom or Dad to fix it quick!
Chorus: Or it could shock you, oo, oo, oo ....
Then your hair would stick up too!
Only plugs are made for sockets
Never put anything else in a socket
(Chorus)
Never pull on a cord
Always unplug it with the plug
(Chorus)
Electricity is not a toy
Always be careful when you use it.
(Chorus)

Puppet, "What did you learn about today? (response) Who can tell me a safety rule? (response) Now go home and explain our safety rules to your mom and dad. (Run off a list to send home.) Have them help you look for ways to make your home safer. Bye, be safe - you don't want your hair to stick up too! So please use electricity safely.

Now we are going to make a class book of safety rules. (Make a class big book of using electricity safely. Put one safety rule on each page, having the students illustrate.)

This is the time this file has been accessed since 03/01/97.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

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