Dear Families of Room 206,
When we return from Winter Break, we will be embarking on a new and exciting science unit called Circuits and Pathways, a hands-on inquiry based unit that is part of the Seattle Science Program. For the next couple of weeks, your child will be learning about electricity in science class as they consider the question, “How does a light bulb work?”
In this unit, your child will develop a basis for understanding electricity by exploring its properties in simple circuits. We will start by having class discussions on what your child already knows about electricity, and what they would like to know more about. We will use D-cell batteries, bulbs, motors, and copper wire to explore electric circuits to explore some phenomena about electricity. Through a series of related explorations, your child will work individually, in small groups and together as a class to develop an understanding of how to make a complete circuit to produce the current that makes bulbs light and motors run.
The Circuits and Pathways unit will also allow your child to use a variety of science thinking and process skills. As they explore the phenomena, they will observe closely and analyze their observations. They will raise questions, share ideas, solve problems, and predict new outcomes.
Your child will participate in a pre unit questionnaire about electricity. The same questionnaire will be given at the end of the unit so I can assess their understandings of the concepts of the unit. Additionally, students will complete a final assessment exercise which asks them to answer some questions on electricity. I will also be evaluating your child’s contribution to their science groups in terms of their interpersonal and problem solving skills. Your child will also filing out their own self-evaluation on how well they think they worked in their groups.
To support your child in their learning of this unit, you can point out electrical devices (such as the TV, radio and electrical toys) at home and discuss as a family the ways in which it could work (electrically). I am also listing some websites you and your child can look at to further understand and investigate simple circuits and the pathways of electricity. (see below)
I think this unit will be a fun and challenging experience for your child. If you should have any questions or concerns, please call or email me. You can reach me at 206-930-4482 and email me at hallals@seattleu.edu. And of course, your child is always welcome to talk to me about any concerns or question they should ever have. Thank you for your endless support!
Sincerely,
Sara Friend (intern to Mr. Langley)
http://www.alief.isd.tenet.edu/Bush/Internet/Science.htm, http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/electric.html, and http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/electricity.html