You will learn
- Define conductor.
- Test materials.
- Explain why metals conduct.
- Link use to property.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Metals are good conductors.
- Free electrons carry the charge.
- Graphite also conducts.
- Conductors are used in wires.
Words to know
a material that lets current flow easily
a tiny charged particle in atoms
a form of carbon that conducts
how much a material opposes current
1. Discover: The mystery materials
Pupils connect each of eight materials into a circuit with a bulb and a 1.5 V cell. The bulb lights for the copper wire, aluminium foil and pencil lead but not for plastic, wood or glass. “Metals and graphite conduct,” writes Selorm.
Think: Why is copper used for wires?
2. Understand: Conductors
Idea 1: What conducts
A conductor lets current flow. Metals such as copper, aluminium and iron are good conductors. Graphite (pencil lead) also conducts.
Idea 2: Why
Metals contain free electrons that can move and carry charge. In non-metals the electrons are held tightly in place.
Idea 3: Uses
Copper wires carry electricity because copper has low resistance and is easy to bend. Aluminium cables carry power over long distances.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Predict
Conductor?
- Metal.
- Graphite.
- Plastic.
Answer: Metal yes, plastic no.
Example 2 (We do it together): Explain
Metals.
- Free electrons.
- Carry charge.
- Flow.
Answer: Electrons move.
Example 3 (You try): Link
Use.
Show the steps and answer
- Wire.
- Low resistance.
- Copper.
Answer: Copper wires.
Did you know?
Silver is the best electrical conductor, but copper is used because it is far cheaper.
Why this matters
Choosing conductors makes wires efficient and safe.
4. Explore: Conductor test
Build a tester with a 1.5 V cell and a bulb, test eight materials by connecting them across a gap, and record whether the bulb lights.
- Build the tester.
- Test each item.
- Record.
- Classify.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Metals and graphite lit the bulb.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A ___ lets current flow easily.
- An ___ is a tiny charged particle.
- ___ is a form of carbon that conducts.
- ___ is how much a material opposes current.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a conductor?
Lets current flow.
Question 2. Name one.
Copper.
Question 3. What carries charge?
Electrons.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is a conductor?
- Name one.
- What carries charge?
- Is graphite a conductor?
- What is resistance?
Level 2: Grow
- Why metals?
- Why copper?
- Why test?
Level 3: Stretch
- Test items.
- Classify.
- Explain.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Explain why metals conduct electricity.
Show a sample answer
Use electrons.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Not all.
Fix: Never mix water with mains.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can define conductor.
- I can test materials.
- I can explain why metals conduct.
- I can link use to property.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Metals are good conductors.
- Free electrons carry the charge.
- Graphite also conducts.
- Conductors are used in wires.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Insulators. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define conductor and resistance. [2 marks]
- Describe a conductor test. [3 marks]
- Explain why metals conduct. [3 marks]
- Safety rule. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 1 each
- Circuit [1]; test items [1]; bulb lights [1]
- Free electrons [1]; move [1]; carry charge [1]
- Any [1]; reason [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is a conductor?
- Name one.
- What carries charge?
- Is graphite a conductor?
- What is resistance?
- Why metals?
- Why copper?
- Why test?
- Test items.
- Classify.
Homework
List five conductors in your home.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is a conductor? | Lets current flow. | 1 |
| 2. Name one. | Copper. | 1 |
| 3. What carries charge? | Electrons. | 1 |
| 4. Is graphite a conductor? | Yes. | 1 |
| 5. What is resistance? | Opposes current. | 1 |
| 6. Why metals? | Free electrons. | 1 |
| 7. Why copper? | Low resistance. | 1 |
| 8. Why test? | Evidence. | 1 |
| 9. Test items. | Table. | 1 |
| 10. Classify. | Chart. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Lets current flow.; 2 Copper.; 3 Electrons.; 4 Yes.; 5 Opposes current.. Level 2: 1 Free electrons.; 2 Low resistance.; 3 Evidence.. Level 3: 1 Table.; 2 Chart.; 3 Sentence..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Define conductor | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Test materials | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Explain why metals conduct | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Link use to property | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “All shiny things conduct.” Not all.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Identify conductors.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child tests conductors with safe cells. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Talk about wires.
- Never test sockets.
- Ask “Why metal?”
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: define conductor; test materials; explain why metals conduct; link use to property.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 5 ideas: simple circuits, conductors and insulators, and magnets.
Materials. Cells, bulbs, wires, test items. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Set out items.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Show a wire and ask, “Why is it made of metal?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach conductors.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners test.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners explain.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Did the bulb light? Why?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “All shiny things conduct.” Not all.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Identify conductors. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 6 Unit 7, topic 6; Next Generation Science Standards, energy and forces; Cambridge Lower Secondary Science, physics; IB Primary Years Programme, how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.