Insulators and Conductors 

Designed by: Hope Darby     School: Pine Grove

Grade Level: fourth      Subject(s): Science

Core Curriculum Objective(s):  Students will predict and test various materials to identify conductors and insulators. (IV B 1 d)

Overview: Students will work in pairs to make predictions about whether materials are insulators or conductors. Students will then test their predictions. Students will create a T-chart on poster board. They will cut out pictures of the items they tested and glue them in the appropriate place on the poster. The posters can be displayed in the classroom.

Focus/Essential Question(s): What materials are conductors of electricity?

Time Frame: 50 minutes

Resources/Materials: 

For each pair of students: 
D-cell battery 
Miniature light bulb 
Wire 
Catalogues and magazines (especially school supply catalogues) 
Scissors 
Glue 
Poster board 
Items in the classroom (stapler, chalk, scissors, door knob, etc.)

Culminating Assessment: Students will create a T-chart demonstrating which items are insulators and which items are conductors. Students will also turn in predictions. The teacher will not accept any poster without predictions. The teacher will use the following rubric to score the T-chart. 

 Instructional Activities: (Students should have prior knowledge of complete circuits.) Students should each choose a partner. Give each pair of students a D-cell, a wire, and a light bulb. Explain to students that some materials allow the current of electricity to pass through them. These materials are called conductors. Other materials do not allow the current of electricity to pass through them. These materials are called insulators. Tell students that they are going to test materials to determine if they are insulators or conductors. Use a D-cell, a wire and a bulb to create a circuit. Remind students that the circuit must be complete in order for the bulb to light. Ask students if they think a pencil is a conductor or an insulator. Then, take a pencil and place it between the bulb and the D-cell. Ask student if the bulb lit up. They should respond that the bulb did not light. Ask students if the bulb is a conductor or insulator. They should recognize that a pencil is an insulator. Ask students to work with their partner to choose ten items in the classroom. The students should write down their items and predict if the item is a conductor or insulator. Remind student that the predictions must be turned in. After recording predictions, students should test the materials they choose to determine if the item is a conductor or an insulator.

When students have finished testing materials, they should create a T-chart to identify items that are conductors and items that are insulators. The students should use catalogues to cut out pictures of the item they tested and paste it on the correct side of the T-chart. If students cannot find a picture of an item, they can draw and label it instead. After the charts are complete, students will share their results and charts with the class.

If students have time, and they cannot find an illustration of their item, they may go to the Paint program in Microsoft Windows and illustrate it themselves. They could also go to the internet and try to download a picture.