ScienceEnergyAges 11–12

Current, voltage, and what they measure

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)

Lesson

Set out your lesson

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

Before teaching

Use this short check, then start teaching.

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.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes

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.

Next: Show

Adult extras

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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Entire curriculum

1858 concepts · 9 subjects

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Teaching approaches

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

Family records and proof options

Keep a record of your learning

Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

View learner plans ($12/mo per learner) See sample family archive

Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson

Circuit Construction Kit: DC

Open practice(new tab)

Before you open · source notes

Circuit Construction Kit: DC supports hands-on exploration for Current, voltage, and what they measure. Not every lab worksheet.

Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Source, access and review notes

Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

PhET Interactive Simulations. “Circuit Construction Kit: DC.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

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-PS2-3the-ontario-curriculum-science-and-technology-20:ON-SCI-2022-G6-C2.2