KS3 ~ Year 8 ~ Series & Parallel Circuits

This lesson is designed for the KS3 Year 8 Science course, specifically the P2 1.1 unit on ‘Electricity & Magnetism’.

This lesson begins with an introduction to both series and parallel circuits, students can make a note of the definition for each and also draw the example circuit diagram into their books. Next, students will be shown four circuit diagrams and will need to determine whether the circuit is a parallel or a series circuit. The answers to this task can then be revealed using the PowerPoint, so students can assess their work.

Students will now watch a video on series and parallel circuits, they will need to answer a set of questions whilst watching this video. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint presentation, so students can self-assess their work using the mark scheme provided.

The latter part of the lesson focuses on current and potential different in series and parallel circuits. Firstly, students will be shown a diagram which shows that current anywhere in a series circuit will be the same and shows current in the main part of the parallel circuit will get divided up between each branch. Students will then use this information to complete a worksheet, this work can then be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.

Next, students will look at how potential difference across components in a series circuit is different to that of a parallel circuit. Students will then work out the potential difference of voltmeters found in four different circuit diagrams, this task can then be marked and corrected using the answers provided.

The plenary is a ‘pick a plenary’ task, students need to choose to either summarise what they have learned in three sentences or write a definition for a set of key words related to the topic of electricity.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation, thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)