Creative Circuit Community
This writing assignment allows students to explore the workings of a circuit. They will have the opportunity to design their own circuit using real materials (e.g. bread board, wires, resistors, etc.) or the simulation on the link below. Then, they will take on and create a persona for one of the elements of the circuit and write a short story about the daily life they experience as that element in that circuit community. The students are encouraged to be creative.
Materials:
creative_circuit_community_-_teacher_instructions.pdf | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
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creative_circuit_community_-_student_prompt_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 77 kb |
File Type: |
How this activity was adapted...
I have adapted this traditional writing prompt for English Language Learners in a couple of ways. This writing assignment assumes that we have at least basic lab on introductory circuits involving series, parallel, and combination designs. Before beginning any writing, the students have the opportunity to play around with the same equipment we used during our lab exercises. The students may also you the simulation found at http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-dc Given the tools and measuring equipment to design their own working circuit, gives the students a chance to visualize what is it they are to write. It makes the writing more concrete. Drawing and labeling a circuit diagrams helps to scaffold the students’ understanding of the workings of a simple circuit. They will also be provided with a picture dictionary to help them understand the necessary vocabulary associated with the circuit diagram symbols. These tools can be useful for students of all learning styles and literacy levels.