Static Electricity 5E Unit Plan for Third Grade
$9.90
This Static Electricity 5E Model Unit Plan is an inquiry-based unit using the 5E Model lesson plans. It focuses on investigating static electricity, learning about what affects static electricity, and diagramming the flow of electrons in static electricity.
This Static Electricity 5E Model Unit Plan is an inquiry-based unit using the 5E Model lesson plans. It focuses on investigating static electricity, learning about what affects static electricity, and diagramming the flow of electrons in static electricity. Throughout the unit, students identify, test and use the cause and effect relationship of static build-up and discharge to explain the phenomena of static electricity. The unit includes three parts for each 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate) and more.
FREE Upgrade with Google Digital Resources:
- Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
- Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
- Google Form Exit Cards
Included in this Static Electricity Science Resource
- Teacher Notes that provide an overview of the resource and explanation of the NGSS standard for Static Electricity 3-PS2-3.
- Common Misconceptions about Static Electricity
- Teaching Timeline available with four different options, including a correlation with the Third Grade Science Stations
- Vocabulary Cards to reinforce static electricity key terms throughout the unit. These are the same vocabulary cards available in the Third Grade Science Stations
- Big Idea Posters that illustrate the main concepts students will learn
- Exit Tickets in three formats: short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice
- Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
- Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
- Google Form Exit Cards
What is the 5E Instructional Model?
The 5E Model is student-led, with the teacher acting mainly as the facilitator. Through open-ended questions, real-life experiences, guided investigations, and research, the students gain a deep understanding of the scientific topics that are covered in the lessons. Each stage of the model serves as a foundation to the next, creating a coherent model that frames lessons, activities, and units.
Find out more about the 5E Unit Plans in this blog post.
Objectives and Timeline for Each Section of the 5E Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Unit
Engage
Objectives:
- Students will access their prior knowledge about static electricity.
- Student interest in static electricity will be sparked (pun intended).
- The teacher will be able to identify student misconceptions about static electricity.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What Is This?): 10 minutes
- Part 2 (My Experiences): 10 minutes
- Part 3 (Introducing): 20 minutes
Explore
Objectives:
- Students will work together to investigate static electricity. They will do this by observing static charge on a balloon.
- Students will gather very general information about factors that affect static electricity.
- Students will use observations and information to make a hypothesis about how to discharge static electricity from a balloon.
- Students will plan an investigation and test their hypothesis.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (Check It Out): 20 minutes
- Part 2 (Watch and Read This): 15 minutes
- Part 3 (You Try It): 20 minutes
Explain
Objectives:
- Students will work collaboratively to determine what types of materials are better at removing static electricity.
- Students will listen to the teacher’s explanation about static electrons.
- Students will use the new information to revise their explanations about the factors that affected static electricity.
- Students will draw a diagram to show that they understand the flow of electrons in static electricity.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What Does It Mean?): 15 minutes
- Part 2 (What Is Static Electricity?): 20 minutes
- Part 3 (Putting It All Together): 20 minutes
Extend
Objectives:
- Students will apply what they have learned about static electricity to a new situation.
- Students will deepen their understanding of static electricity, gaining a more generalized knowledge of these specific scientific concepts.
- The teacher will resolve all persisting student misconceptions about static electricity.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (Where is the Charge?): 15 minutes
- Part 2 (Show What You Know): 15 minutes to 45 minutes
- Part 3 (Have Fun With It): 15 minutes
Evaluate
Objectives:
- Students will evaluate his or her own understanding of static electricity.
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and vocabulary.
- The teacher will encourage students to ask questions that could lead to future investigations.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What I Know): 15 minutes
- Part 2 (Showing Charges): 10 minutes per student
- Part 3 (Going Forward): 20 minutes





January B. (verified owner) –
Wonderful resource and worked well for my class! 🙂
Chelsea V. (verified owner) –
This was full of so many activities and resources that were perfect for teaching about invisible forces and static electricity. My students loved all the experiments and activities within this packet!
Hilary H. (verified owner) –
I teach at a school with many EAL students, so this was a great resource for grade 6 electricity at an appropriate reading level.
Heather D. (verified owner) –
My students loved this. They were excited and very engaged.
The Climbing Grapevine (verified owner) –
This was a well designed and very helpful resource that I used for my 3rd grade STEM class.
Lisa K. (verified owner) –
I loved this resource and my students found it easy easy to use.
KaLee K. (verified owner) –
This resource was such a wonderful hands on lesson for my kids!
Roisin Stapleton (verified owner) –
Super engaging resource. It was really useful when planning for this unit
Rita’s Autism Supplies (verified owner) –
great
Kathleen B. (verified owner) –
This was a great lesson, my students were really engaged!
Christina F. (verified owner) –
I love this product! It was very helpful with my 3rd grade science students.
Amber Bollinger (verified owner) –
Thank you!! This was great, engaging lesson- even virtually!
A Teacher’s Pet (verified owner) –
Used this to help a first grader through an independent study.
Teacher AF (verified owner) –
I LOVE THESE UNITS!!! Honestly, I just need to buy the bundle. I have purchased a few of these units and they just take away so much work and stress. The lessons are well made and coherently laid out.
Honestly, if you are tired of making science lessons, just get this unit; or any of them like this.
Heather Cruz (verified owner) –
,<3
Amy Benson (verified owner) –
Love the powerpoint to go along with this
Nicole A. (verified owner) –
Perfect for my needs. Thank you!
Buyer (verified owner) –
Great resource!
Yessenia Garza (verified owner) –
my kiddos learned so much from this static electricity article. I am applying their reading strategies towards science.
Kaci T. (verified owner) –
Great Work
Team Engemann (verified owner) –
Love this resource! Thank you for making teaching the NGSS in third grade fun and easy!
Taylor T. (verified owner) –
This was awesome for a science unit I did with my students! Thanks!
Helen Watt (verified owner) –
great resource
Donna C. (verified owner) –
Thanx!
Tiffany B. (verified owner) –
Good resource
Early Learning Amazing (verified owner) –
Thanks
Janae H. (verified owner) –
Loved it!
Jackie Martin (verified owner) –
Thanks!
Rockstar Science (verified owner) –
I am using this with a special needs high school class. They are loving the activities! Thank you!
Jordan M. (verified owner) –
Awesome!
Robin N. (verified owner) –
Very through and my students loved doing the activities! Thank you!
Telia G. (verified owner) –
follows 5e model and NGSS Science Standards
Megan F. (verified owner) –
Fantastic unit! My students loved the activities.
Heather G. (verified owner) –
Great resource! Thank you.
Maria F. (verified owner) –
Great resource, it has all the right resources for my diverse class. Thank you!
Kelly B. (verified owner) –
I can’t wait to use this with my 3rd graders.
Bianca D. (verified owner) –
Excellent Resource!
Fantastic in 1st (verified owner) –
Thank you! A very comprehensive resource!
Jennifer T. (verified owner) –
Thank you.