Current, voltage, and what they measure

ScienceEnergyAges 11–12

Understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charge (measured in amperes using an ammeter), and that potential difference (voltage) is the energy transferred per unit charge (measured in volts using a voltmeter)

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Teaching Table

Set out your lesson

Distinguish current from potential difference and place meters on a circuit diagram.

Activity

Inferred, not a taxonomy edge: learner can access the supplied prompt with agreed support and can explain or mark a response. If earlier skills are unfamiliar, use the prerequisite topic for teaching; an authored prerequisite is not proof this learner is ready.

Sequence

Keep the two adult-only cards off the learner screen. Have a pencil and scrap paper if useful; oral pointing/typing/AAC can replace handwriting unless spelling or composition is the target. No printing, cutting, account or purchase is required.
Open Show first, read the explanation together, and pause to check the central idea. Then do Guided Try together.
For Try, close earlier models and the adult keys unless the task explicitly supplies a reference. Record any hints, read-aloud help or model reopening; do not call supported work independent.
Use only the active learner card. Keep the private key closed until an attempt is recorded. Stop or take a break on request; practical claims stay not observed unless actually done.

No Printer

Use on screen; read aloud or recreate a tactile model only with declared support. No printer or purchased kit.

Privacy

Never display adult keys or dictation spellings with a learner task; no family financial, identity or conflict disclosure.

Use the complete materials on screen or print only the current sheet. Keep adult guidance out of learner view. Retain an earlier model only when the current step supplies it as context.

Teaching limits and safe use

These are finite task opportunities, not proof of mastery. Record what was attempted and what support was used.

Diagram interpretation only, not physical circuit construction or safety training; no numerical meter reading is claimed.
These bounded examples do not establish independent performance in other situations. Record the support used.

Never display adult keys or dictation spellings with a learner task; no family financial, identity or conflict disclosure.

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Distinguish current from potential difference and place meters on a circuit diagram.

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Check understanding

States that current is measured in amperes (A) and is the rate at which charge flows around a circuit
States that potential difference (voltage) is measured in volts (V) and represents energy transferred per unit charge
Correctly connects an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel when building or interpreting a circuit

“If your child sets up a circuit with an ammeter and a voltmeter, can they explain what each one is measuring and describe the difference between current and voltage?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Energy
Age range: Ages 11–12

Standards

ngss-ms:MS-PS2-3