Magnets
Grades 4, 5, and 6
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o Password: demo
Materials list:
· Projector or document camera
· Video- Magnets
· Access to Studies Weekly Online
o Magnet Power article found in the Physical Science- Magnetic Power unit in Science Studies Weekly Fourth Grade
· Chart paper or whiteboard space
· A set of two magnets for every pair of students in your class.
· A ruler for every pair of students in your class.
· Lined paper
· Pen/pencil
Approximate time the lesson will take not including the video:
· 50 Minutes
Balanced Literacy Format:
· Shared Reading
· Independent Reading
Lesson Presentation Format:
· Whole Class
· Small group
Specific Strategies:
· Observing
· Listening
· Critical Thinking
Activity:
1. Watch the video Magnets. Instruct the class to pay specific attention to all of the different things that magnets can do and what we use them for. As a class, list all of these uses on the board. Were there any that surprised you or that you didn’t know about? You may need to watch the video two or three times for the students to make a complete list.
2. After you have made a list of all of the uses for magnets listed in the video, read the article Magnet Power found in the Physical Science- Magnetic Power unit in Science Studies Weekly Fourth Grade. Did the article give any uses for magnets that weren’t listed in the video? If so, add them to your list on the board.
3. Go back to the article and find the paragraph that talks about the north and south poles of magnets. Have the students re-read that paragraph silently to themselves.
4. After the students are finished reading, do a shared re-reading of the section of the article called How Are Magnets and Electricity Related?
5. Discuss the poles of magnets and how the same poles will repel each other and the opposite poles will attract each other. Make sure that your students have a firm understanding of this concept. You may want to do a class demonstration of magnets repelling and attracting each other.
6. Split the students into pairs. Give each pair a set of magnets and have them do some testing to find the positive and negative poles of each magnet and how big their magnetic field is. Point out that the students will not be able to identify which end is positive and which is negative, but they will be able to identify similar ends and different ends.
7. Have students draw their magnet on their paper and label the ends based on how they attract and repel each other. They can use arrows to show the magnets moving to or away from each other. Have the students write an explanation of how they know which ends are similar and which are different.
8. Have students test how big the magnetic field is for their magnets and measure it using a ruler. They will record the size of the magnetic field on their papers.
Suggested Differentiated Instruction Tips:
· Students may watch the video on their own instead of as a class so they can pause it and take notes or watch it as many times as they need to.
· The students can compile the list of magnet uses on their own paper, in pairs, or small groups.
· The students may read the article to themselves or in small groups. You may also use the audio reader or do a modeled reading.
· Any of the re-reading can be done as a class, in small groups, or individually.
· Students may be in groups of more than two if you have a limited number of magnets available.
Extension or Enrichment Activity:
Have students put one magnet under their desk and one on top and try to move the magnet through the desk. Have them do some testing with different surfaces to see what surfaces they can/can’t move their magnet through. How far apart can the magnets be and still attract each other?
Have them create a small presentation about what they found out. They can go to www.biteslide.com and create 1-3 slides. Students should include: information about magnets, their findings from testing surfaces, uses of magnets, and some pictures. If time allows, have students present their slides to the class.
Quiz:
1. Explain how the poles of magnets work. Which ends attract and which ends repel?
2. What are some things that you use or do in your everyday life that require magnets?
Answer Key/ Complexity Levels:
1. Answers will vary. Acceptable answers are: Magnets have a north pole and south pole. One has a positive charge and one has a negative charge. The ions in a magnet are lined up in order so they have a specific charge. Similar ends will repel each other and opposite ends will attract each other.
Low/2
2. Answers will vary. Acceptable answers are: Magnets are used for electricity and I use electricity every day when I turn on the lights, watch TV, and play video games. There is also a magnet in my wallet that helps keep it closed. Some of my toys have magnets in them too. I also have magnets on my fridge to hold up my artwork and report cards. The car that drives me to school uses magnets in the motor.
High/4