Imbolc: Physics – Electricity & Magnetism
3rd Principle: Acceptance and Spiritual Growth
⚡ Unit Overview
As Imbolc marks spring's first stirrings, we explore electricity and magnetism—invisible forces powering our world. We read The Great Gatsby and Harlem Renaissance poetry, exploring the American Dream and its contradictions. In history, we move through the Depression, WWII, and into the Cold War. In math, we master exponential and logarithmic functions.
Weekly Lesson Plans
Electric Charge & Static Electricity
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Imbolc, Brigid's flame | Physics: Atomic structure, static electricity | Lit: Begin Gatsby | Math: Exponential review
📖 Language Arts
Begin The Great Gatsby. Discuss the Jazz Age setting and Fitzgerald's style.
📐 Math
Exponential functions review. Growth and decay models. Real-world applications.
⚡ Science
Electric charge: positive and negative. Static electricity. Coulomb's Law.
🏛️ History
The Great Depression begins: Stock market crash, causes, immediate effects.
🎨 Art
Art Deco design inspired by the 1920s–30s era.
🏃 Movement
Static electricity experiments: balloons, hair, charged objects.
Electric Current & Circuits
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Energy flow | Physics: Current, voltage, series/parallel | Lit: Gatsby Ch. 3-4 | Math: Intro logarithms
📖 Language Arts
The Great Gatsby Chapters 3-4: Gatsby's parties and mysterious past. Character analysis.
📐 Math
Introduction to logarithms: definition, properties, converting between forms.
⚡ Science
Electric current, voltage, resistance. Series and parallel circuits. Ohm's Law preview.
🏛️ History
Hoover's response to the Depression. Hoovervilles. Human cost of economic collapse.
🎨 Art
Circuit art: Create visual representations of series and parallel circuits.
🏃 Movement
Build simple circuits with batteries and bulbs. Hands-on exploration.
Resistance & Ohm's Law
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Obstacles that shape us | Physics: Ohm's Law V=IR | Lit: Gatsby Ch. 5-6 | Math: Log properties
📖 Language Arts
The Great Gatsby Chapters 5-6: The reunion with Daisy. The green light symbol.
📐 Math
Logarithm properties: product, quotient, power rules. Simplifying expressions.
⚡ Science
Resistance. Ohm's Law: V = IR. Calculating voltage, current, resistance. Resistors in circuits.
🏛️ History
FDR and the New Deal: Programs, philosophy, and debate about government's role.
🎨 Art
Propaganda poster analysis: New Deal art programs (WPA murals).
🏃 Movement
Resistance measurement activities. Compare conductors and insulators.
Electric Power & Energy
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Conservation | Physics: P=IV, kilowatt-hours | Lit: Gatsby Ch. 7-8 | Math: Compound interest
📖 Language Arts
The Great Gatsby Chapters 7-8: The confrontation and tragedy. Theme of the American Dream.
📐 Math
Compound interest formula. Logarithms applied to financial mathematics.
⚡ Science
Electric power: P = IV. Kilowatt-hours. Calculating energy costs. Power in daily life.
🏛️ History
World War II: Causes, U.S. entry after Pearl Harbor, the home front.
🎨 Art
WWII poster design: Analyze propaganda techniques. Create an awareness poster.
🏃 Movement
Energy audit of your home: Calculate electrical usage.
Magnetism & Magnetic Fields
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Attraction/repulsion | Physics: Magnetic poles, Earth's field, compasses | Lit: Finish Gatsby | Math: Natural log (ln)
📖 Language Arts
Finish The Great Gatsby. Essay: How does Fitzgerald critique the American Dream?
📐 Math
Natural logarithm (ln). Euler's number e. Continuous growth and decay.
⚡ Science
Magnetism: magnetic poles, magnetic fields, Earth as a magnet. Compasses and navigation.
🏛️ History
The Holocaust: Causes, events, and the world's response. Bearing witness.
🎨 Art
Memorial art: Create a piece honoring victims of historical injustice.
🏃 Movement
Magnetic field mapping: Use compasses to trace field lines around magnets.
Electromagnetism
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Unity in diversity | Physics: Electromagnets, motors | Lit: Langston Hughes poetry | Math: Solving log equations
📖 Language Arts
Langston Hughes poetry: 'A Dream Deferred,' 'I, Too.' Compare to Gatsby's American Dream.
📐 Math
Solving logarithmic equations. Checking for extraneous solutions.
⚡ Science
Electromagnetism: current creates magnetic fields. Electromagnets. Electric motors.
🏛️ History
The Cold War begins: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade.
🎨 Art
Abstract expressionism: Post-WWII American art movement. Create an abstract piece.
🏃 Movement
Build an electromagnet. Explore how current strength affects magnetic force.
Electromagnetic Induction & Review
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Transformation complete—celebrating growth from Imbolc to approaching Ostara
📖 Language Arts
Essay on The Great Gatsby—analyzing the American Dream theme. Final draft.
📐 Math
Unit review: exponentials and logarithms. Practice problems combining concepts.
⚡ Science
Faraday's Law, electromagnetic induction, generators, transformers, AC vs DC current.
🏛️ History
Korean War and McCarthyism. Cold War at home: fear, loyalty oaths, Hollywood blacklist.
🎨 Art
Portfolio review: select best work from this unit.
🏃 Movement
Electromagnetic induction demonstrations: moving magnets through coils.