Grades 3–5
Static Electricity Balloon
An experiment: rub a balloon on your hair and test what it pulls on.
Science worksheet · Electricity and circuits
Conductors and Insulators
Sort ten materials into conductors and insulators, then explain why wires are covered in plastic.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Circuits, Conductors and insulators, Electrical safety
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- A conductor lets electricity flow through it. Metals are good conductors. An insulator stops electricity. Plastic, rubber, glass and wood are insulators.
- 1. Write each material in the right column.
- 2. Why are electrical wires covered in plastic?
Words on this sheet
a pennywooden spoonplastic rulera metal keyglassrubber glovealuminum foilcopper wire
Teacher tip
Look at a real cord and talk about why the metal is inside the plastic.
How to use it
- Show a real battery, bulb and wires so kids can see the circuit.
- Trace the path of the electricity with a finger on each diagram.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Only use small batteries for classroom circuits, never wall outlets.
Talk about it
- Why does the bulb go out when the circuit opens?
- What evidence helped you choose your answer?
Take it further
Build simple circuits with batteries, foil and small bulbs in small groups.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More electricity and circuits worksheets
Grades 3–5
Electrical Safety
Color the safe choices and put an X on the dangerous ones, then write a safety rule for your home.
Grades 3–5
Will the Bulb Light?
Look at four circuits, circle yes or no, then explain why an open circuit does not work.
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