C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Energy·representational

Reading and drawing circuit diagrams

Draw and read simple circuit diagrams using standard symbols for cells, bulbs, switches, buzzers, and wires; identify whether a circuit is complete or broken from a diagram; match circuit diagrams to physical circuits

Suggested ages 9–10

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Learning journey

Your child is exploring how energy works — understanding how it moves between objects, changes from one form to another, and can be transferred through sound, light, heat, and electricity.

Evidence of understanding

  • Draw a circuit diagram for a cell, switch, and bulb using standard symbols
  • Identify from a diagram whether a switch is open or closed and predict whether the bulb lights
  • Match a photograph of a physical circuit to the correct circuit diagram from a set of options

Assessment prompt

If Reading and drawing circuit diagrams sees a circuit diagram with symbols for a battery, switch, and light bulb, can they tell you whether the bulb would light up — and draw the diagram for a simple circuit you describe?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.