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Expanded view of the Electric Circuits Kit

GEMS^® Electric Circuits (Grades 3–6)

Although electric appliances are a part of everyday modern life, may people have little or no idea, or wrong ideas, about how electricity works. GEMS Electric Circuits for Grades 3-6 provides repeated experiences and open-ended opportunities for students to explore basic and more advanced concepts in electric circuits.

The Electric Circuits teacher’s guide is divided into two main parts. Part I is for all students within the grade range (3-6), and covers most of the basic ideas of an electric circuit. Part II is for classes ready to explore more advanced topics and create circuits with more open-ended possibilities. The entire unit works well when taught at one time, but it can also be divided, with Part I taught in one grade level, then Part II (with a review or repetition of Part I) taught at a subsequent grade level.

Part I focuses on the concepts of conductors, insulators, simple closed circuits, and inventing switches. These sessions can be used by themselves as a unit suitable for 3rd or 4th grade.

Part II focuses on the concepts of series circuits, parallel circuits, and creating electrical inventions. These sessions are suitable for 5th and 6th graders who have completed Part I.

Benefits of using this kit:
	Introduces foundational science concepts that lead to student success
	Strongly aligned with multiple state standards and the National Science Education Standards and Bench Marks for Science Literacy
	Provides clear step-by-step instruction, assessment suggestions, literature connections, and ideas for further instruction

Goals Standards In the Kit Pilot this Kit Support

Goals of Electric Circuits
Part I
	Students gain and are able to articulate a basic understanding of simple electric circuits by lighting a bulb; demonstrating a closed and open circuit; building a variety of circuits; and identifying short circuits, conductors, and insulators.
	Using schematic diagrams, students are able to represent closed, open, and short circuits, switches, batteries, light bulbs, and conductors. They are able to build real-life circuits from schematic diagrams and make diagrams of real-life circuits.
	Students are able to design a simple electric switch.
	Students are able to grasp the idea of an electric current, and are able to explain that adding batteries to a circuit makes the current stronger.
	Students gain insight into the idea that an electric circuit is a circular flow of electrons through conductors.
Part II (in addition to goals above)
	Students acquire an understanding of the concept of resistance. They are able to explain that anything that slows current down, such as a light bulb filament, has resistance. They are able to explain that electric current will travel through conductors, where it encounters the least resistance.
	Students are able to demonstrate a more sophisticated understanding of electric circuits, including series and parallel circuits, by assembling and schematically representing examples of these circuits—first without, then with, switches.
	Students are able to invent, design, and explain an electric device and represent its circuits using schematic diagrams.

National Standards addressed by Electric Circuits:

	Science and Technology Standard, 5–8: Abilities of technological design; Communicate the process of technological design; Understanding about science and technology.
	Science and Technology Standard, 5–8: Abilities of technological design; Communicate the process of technological design; Understanding about science and technology.
	Unifying Concepts and Principles: Constancy, change, and measurement; evidence, models, and explanation.

In the Kit:
The unit kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, a Teacher's Pack containing: copy masters, MSDS sheets, matrix of provided materials where used and materials needed but not supplied, and materials needed for a class of 32 students.

Try the Carolina Curriculum Pilot Program
What’s the best way to learn about STC Program®, Building Blocks of Science™, Math Out of the Box®, or GEMS Kits®? Pilot a unit in your school or district!

Here's how it works:

	Complete the pilot information request form.
	You choose a lead teacher(s) to pilot the units.
	Carolina ships the selected unit kit(s) to your school/district.
	At the end of the pilot, you can purchase one of the unit kits for 10% off the catalog price!

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Carolina’s Curriculum Sales and Services group provides districts and schools that are evaluating curriculum with samples, professional planning, and implementation assistance. Our staff includes in-office curriculum account managers and regional sales managers in the field. Click here to contact the account manager and sales manager for your school district.

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Technical Support
With Carolina's technical support staff, you have access to knowledgeable professionals with expertise in many areas of the sciences. Call 800-227-1150 (8 am to 5 pm ET) or email curriculum@carolina.com and trained staff will answer your questions about a Carolina Curriculum product or provide additional information.


	Electric Circuits Kit This Kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, an information packet, and the materials needed for a class of 30.

	Electric Circuits Kit Teacher's Guide Additional Teacher's Guides are available if you need them.

	Electric Circuits Kit Refill Pack This set replenishes the consumable materials in the Kit.