Apologia and Physical Science: Electricity Module 12

Electricity, finally!  This unit has loads of potential for hands-on labs and activities.  However, the kids need fundamental terms, key concepts, and some background.  Hence notes, concept maps, and time-lines.   Yes, a time-line!  Famous Scientists contributed to our present understanding and many electrical terms, such as volts, ohms, and amps derive from their names.  (See the earlier post for time-lines.  I require birth, date, and major contribution with each scientist color coded on graph paper.)  The kids should be familiar with these key terms: photons, conduction, induction, electric current, circuit, resistance, static charge, electric cell, conductor, insulator, electric potential, grounding, electric charge, electric field, volt, ohm, ampere, Ohm's Law, resistor, series circuit, parallel circuit, and voltage source.  This is a good time to add a bit of technology.  Have the kids create concept maps or cmaps on the computer or download a free cmap app for iPad.  Once again, here is a video explaining how to creat a timeline in Excel.