Switch On, Switch Off

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

by Melvin A. Berger

Explains the "magic" of how light switches work and the nature of electricity, discussing circuits and generators, light bulbs and plugs, and includes a simple experiment for children

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Physics

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 1989

Reviews

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book my 5 yr old chose to read and loved. Thankfully Dad was home to talk about all the science. My Dad was an electrical engineer, so I understand most of these concepts, but it bores me to tears. (To be fair, I'm a programmer, and I understand that many professions do this for people) It's a wonderful learning book though, about how things work. From electricity, to magnets, to generators and compasses, it covers a whole gamut of items. It sparked lots of conversation and ideas of science projects to add to our list and so my son loved it even more. Anything that's educational and can help bonding with my son and husband are good in my book.

[Two Hearts Homeschool · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot :). After reading this aloud to my 5 year old he immediately went and got his snap circuits out and made a circuit, proclaiming “Switch on switch off”!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book introduction to what electricity is, how electricity is generated for your house, what circuits are, and how that relates to light switches in your house.

This did a fantastic job of breaking down the science into the very basics necessary to get a general understanding of how a generator works, what circuits are, and how your switches act as breakers. It also explains why the things you plug into the wall have 2 prongs on the plug and what those wires that are strung around town on electric poles do. Highly recommended for lower elementary electricity units (or even for intros to upper elementary electricity units). Also a great read for curious readers, especially those who like to ask things like how the switch on the wall turns lights on and off and why plugs have two prongs.

[Melanie Moncrief · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about energy. The book talks about how electricity is a form of energy. The book gives the definition of energy, and it gives examples of the different things that have energy. It tells you how to make electricity and what items you will need to do it. It gives you step by step instructions. It offers questions about the experiment, and it provides the answers. It talks about generators, circuits, breaks and switches. This book is awesome, and it even has an experiment in the back of the book about how to make your own electricity. This book Is a great way to explain energy and electricity. I really like the fact that they define terms, and they explain what is going on. I can use this book in my class to help explain how the lights turn on and off with just a switch. The students will also enjoy making their own electricity.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can all do our part in reducing our electricity consumption but simply turning off the lights in rooms when we don't need them.

[fhsjkdhvkf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the topic—but I agree with another reviewer that explaining what a magnet is or what it does might have helped.

[Joanna Among Paper Petals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning about Electricity

I love how this book simplifies the concept of electricity and how it is created and provided for a home or community.

The pictures provided a wonderful visual for children to help comprehend a function that most people take for granted. Though not as complex as an electrical blueprint, obviously, the illustrations done by Carolyn Croll are still very nicely accomplished.

I initially thought that the book might be a little too young for my daughter, as she would be able to read every word easily but the subject matter itself and the way they discuss it make it perfect for her current level of comprehension. She’s in 2nd grade.

This book mainly focuses on electricity, but also touches on things like energy, atoms, what a generator is, how the generator might be powered and how the energy it creates gets to your home. Lastly it discusses how a circuit works to turn on and off your lights or other items that use electricity in your home.

If your kids are more hands-on, they could also do the couple of ‘experiments’ to make their own electricity. One of the activities is in the story and the other is at the end of the book. We have plans to do the last experiment later on in the school year.

I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to learn from this author what makes a magnet! Hey, even parents need a refresher course. :D

[Dannita Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

While, I have never taught science, I think this book is a great book to have when teaching students about energy, light, or circuits. I would utilize this book as a read aloud to introduce those concepts and to conduct an investigation of how electricity works. I enjoyed the fact that the book gives you an investigation to participate in while reading the book. This is where my transaction was the most powerful. I know my students love to participate in investigations for science, so this book is great for a science teacher to use. As a result, I would recommend it to others. While the book gives a basic understanding of certain concepts with vocabulary and simple explanations, it helps to introduce the topic of electricity to build a foundation for more complex topics.

Real world examples including, lamps, electric stoves, air conditioners, etc are utilized in the text which also make it a great text to use. Students can find something that they have used before in their household to help them visualize and understand the concept of how electricity works.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cute and informational children's book on how electricity works, using everyday household examples. Although I wish that if they were going to use the visual of the magnet going through the coils, they would explain how a magnet functions while they do so; the audience might not already know that and might question the why of how a magnet effects electron flow. Would be a very handy book for a elementary school classroom.

[Kathryn Sublett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps students understand electricity. Teachers could use it to introduce common materials that conductors and insulators. Students will create a list of items that are conductors and insulators. Then, they will create experiments to test their predictions. This would be appropriate for students in fifth grade.

[Kathryn Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduces electricity and the fundamentals behind it. Informative in explaining each step it takes for a light to turn on. This book would have students understand the complexity behind flipping on a switch. Introduces electrons, protons and atoms. Also shows forms of alternative energy.

[Rebecca Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a science unit or good for a science fair. This book is very informational and had a fun activity to try for yourself. It really could teach kids a lot. The pictures were key to understanding and the illustrator did a good job helping us.

[Colleen]

It's Electrifying - unit 6
Nonfiction

[Azriana Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to learn and explain electricity up to third grade. It explains circuits and what happens when there are broken circuits. There is also an activity to try at the end too!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for introducing electricity to young kids.
It can also be used to teach opposites with the title "Switch on Switch Off"

[Sarah A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clever early reader book teaching all abut electricity and how it works and how it impacts our everyday life. Clear simple words as much as possible, easy to understand diagrams and pictures.

[Chantelle Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro. I wish I had read this one as a kid!