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Living safely with electricity

• About
• Activities for kids
  • We all use electricity
  • Water and electricity
  • Electrical powerlines and wires
  • Cords, plugs and power points
  • Keeping everyone safe
• Workbook
• For teachers
  • Teaching steps
  • Reading the resource
  • Learning outcomes

Further information

Teaching steps

The following steps guide you through one way the resource could be used to support a whole-class or small-group study of safe use of electricity.

Before students begin to explore the resource, introduce the topic of electricity using some of the following ideas:

1. Conduct a walk around the local environment looking for evidence of electricity use. Students could photograph, draw or make lists of things they see. Sort and classify the information into groups according to how the electricity is used (for lighting, cooling, heating, cleaning or entertaining). A class book could be written to provide a record of the experience.
2. Students could complete a similar activity as homework by observing electricity use in their home environment.
3. Invite an electrician to explain how electricity is used and what safety precautions are needed. Before the visit, brainstorm to establish students' prior knowledge and make lists of questions to ask the visitor.
4. Observe electrical work being done in or around the school. Consider the safety precautions the workers are taking.
5. Bring an electrical appliance into the classroom and have students observe that it needs to be plugged in and switched on to make it work. Locate other appliances in the classroom that need electricity to make them work.
6. During cooking activities consider the different ways electricity is used to prepare food. Brainstorm appliances used during cooking that need electricity to make them work.
7. Establish an Electricity Centre in the classroom. This could include appliances, books, posters and leaflets related to electricity use and safety. Students could add pictures to a chart showing different ways electricity is used.

Last updated 11 February 2010