Wired
By Anastasia Suen
Illustrated by Paul Carrick
ISBN #978-1-57091-599-4
Charlesbridge, 2007
Nonfiction PB
Using poetry and facts, this book explains in simple language and great detail how electricity is generated and then moved through wires to power the appliances and outlets in our homes. The poetry provides the simple text and each line of poetry is supported by facts explained in an easy to understand way. I especially liked the concept of explaining electrons as “dancing in a circle” and that this motion sends the energy along the line, rather than the electrons themselves. This is one of the best explanations I’ve seen of how power is generated and moved. Carrick’s collage illustrations lend a 3-D feel to the art and help the reader better visualize the text. The book has a combined glossary and index.
humming, thrumming,
power’s coming.
Electricity starts with something you cannot see: electrons. Electrons are part of an atom, and atoms are inside everything, including you!
Activity 1
After reading the book, pass out the sequencing list. Have the students cut apart the sentences. Reread the book, allowing time for the students to put the steps in order.
SEQUENCING ACTIVITY
Electricity moves along the high transmission wires.
Inside your house, switches and outlets complete the circuit to your appliances and lights.
Water moves big wheels called turbines.
Long coils “step up” the electricity to make it stronger.
Electrons are part of an atom.
Moving makes electrons “dance,” or move.
Short coils “step down” the electricity to send it to homes.
Lines carry the electricity to your house.
Wires to your house and back complete a circuit.
Turbines move the magnet inside a generator.
Correct Sequence
1 Electrons are part of an atom.
2 Water moves big wheels called turbines.
3 Turbines move the magnet inside a generator.
4 Moving makes electrons “dance,” or move.
5 Long coils “step up” the electricity to make it stronger.
6 Electricity moves along the high transmission wires.
7 Short coils “step down” the electricity to send it to homes.
8 Lines carry the electricity to your house.
9 Wires to your house and back complete a circuit.
10 Inside your house, switches and outlets complete the circuit to your appliances and lights.
This page has good background information.
Activity 2
Make a simple battery with a complete circuit. See Anastasia Suen’s site for the details.
Here is another way to make a battery.
Try this page to read an electric meter and add some math to the fun.
National Science Standards: Properties of objects and materials; position and motion of objects; light, heat, electricity, and magnetism
Posted by slduke 