Lesson Plan: Top Ten "Dumb Ways to Use Electricity"

Fifth/Sixth Grade

Identify outdoor electrical safety hazards

"Top Ten Dumb Ways to Use Electricity" Lesson Plan and Support Materials

Objectives

1. Name five items found outdoors that use electricity.
2. Describe what a pad mount transformer is and where it might be found.
3. Answer why it would be a bad idea to climb a power pole, even on a dare.
4. Name five outdoor items that could be conductors of electricity.

Preparation

1. Identify appropriate samples of "Top Ten Lists" from Late Night with David Letterman.
2. Paper for creation of student lists.

Procedure

1. Discuss the use of the "Top Ten Lists" with the class.
2. Divide the class into groups of four or five.
3. Challenge the groups to brainstorm risky behavior based on the outdoor electrical safety key messages provided in the Electrical Information Guide.
4. Have the groups share their lists with the rest of the class.
5. Challenge the groups to come up with the ways to prevent outdoor electrical injuries from occurring.

Extensions

Create a kit for use when a storm knocks the power out, adapting the kit suggestions in the Electrical Information Guide.

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