Massachusetts Science Technology Learning Standards:
* Identify the basic forms of energy. Recognize that energy is the ability to cause motion or create change
* Recognize that electricity in circuits requires a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass, and that electricity can produce light, heat and sound
* Identify and classify objects and materials that conduct electricity and objects and materials that are insulators of electricity
* Explain how electromagnets can be made, and give examples of how they can be used
* Recognize that magnets have poles that repel and attract each other
* Identify and classify objects and materials that a magnet will attract and objects and materials that a magnet will not attract
* Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property
* Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools to construct a given prototype safely
* Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers and lists
* Identify relevant design features, e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem

Books and Videos in Union #38 School Libraries:

Ben & Me Lawson, Robert
The remarkable life of old Ben Franklin is related with wit, warmth and wisdom by Amos a mouse who has a way with words.

Lightning Simon, Seymour
Millions of bolts of lightning strike the earth every day. Each blazes a path up to five times hotter than the surface of the sun, yet the flash can be over in as little as a millionth of a second. Sizzling photographs highlight this striking introduction to one of the most powerful and mysterious forces of nature.

How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning Schanzer, Rosalyn
Ben Franklin was the most famous American in the entire world during colonial times. No wonder! After all, the man could do just about anything. Why, he was an author and an athlete and a patriot and a scientist and an inventor to boot. He even found a way to steal the lightning right out of the sky.

Warlords Fish Pilegard, Virginia
When a Chinese sculptor and his apprentice, Chuan, are captured by foreign traders, they find themselves lost in the desert far beyond their civilized world. Dust storms cause the caravan to lose its way. With the sun obscured, all are stranded with no means of escape until Chuan pulls a carved fish from his pocket. Embedded with a magnet formed from a lodestone, the fish points the way south.

More Web Sites for Teachers:

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/ (Lessons, themes, printables, etc.)
http://www.school.discovery.com/curriculumcenter/electricity/ (Activities & project ideas)
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter01.html (The Energy Story)
http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/k-6/as/index.html (Applied Science)
http://www.tryscience.org/teachers/teacherslbtopic.html (Try Science/Physical)

District Kits:

Lesson Plans: