Sarah Mathew, Katie Stover, Megan Wright, Kayla Keidel

Children’s Literature and Magnetism.

1. Fiction Book:

The Magic School Bus: Amazing Magnetism by Rebecca Carmi

Description: This book is a part of The Magic School Bus chapter book series and this particular one is about magnetism. Ms. Frizzle and Mr. O’Neatly, the other third grade teacher create a ‘Magnet Scavenger Hunt’ for the students. The first class to answer all of the scavenger hunt questions correctly wins a pizza party. Throughout the book, Ms. Frizzle and her class explore various concepts that are related to magnetism. They learn about objects that are attracted to magnets, what is inside a magnet, the poles, domain etc.

*For our activity, only the introduction and the first chapter of the book was read because it provides a good introduction to magnetism.

  • Directions for reading portion:
  • Before reading, go to page 5 and (in pencil) cross out “…but it wasn’t working, of course. Anyone knows magnets only pick up metal things.” Also, go to page 7 and cross out “I’m not paper, wood, or rubber. I’m not plastic –what am I?” In addition, cross out: “That’s easy. It’s metal.” The reason you are to not read these portions is because it gives students the answers for the science activity that follows.
  • Next read the execerpt.
  • After reading excerpt, tell the class that we are going to try to solve Ms. Frizzle’s Scavenger Hunt Question #1. Write the question on the board.

A magnet picks me up.

A magnet holds me high.

Look inside the box

And tell me what am I?

  • After this, go into the science activity below: Magnet Fishing.

2. Non-Fiction Support Books:

  1. The Magnet Book-Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone

Description: This book explains several aspects of magnets and magnetism, such as magnetic attraction, repulsion, magnetic fields, induced magnetism etc. For each of these aspects there are activities that demonstrate them. The activities include a list of materials needed, steps, and then an explanation of exactly what happened in the activity.

  1. Magnets: Mind Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects- Janice VanCleave

Description:

  1. What Makes a Magnet?- Franklyn M. Branley

Description: This book is about a girl who does different activities that deal with magnets and magnetism. First the girl goes ‘magnetic fishing.’ She talks about how the magnet did not pick up a twig, rubber bands, and paper, but how it did pick up certain items because they have a great deal of iron in them. The book continues with the girl doing other experiments that demonstrate magnets in everyday life and how the Earth itself is a magnet.

3. Science Standards (Fourth Grade)

Competency Goal 3: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of magnetism and electricity.

3.01 Observe and investigate the pull of magnets on all materials made of iron and the pushes or pulls on other magnets.

4. Language Arts Standards (Fourth Grade)

Competency Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.

2.03 Read a variety of texts, including:

  • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
  • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
  • poetry (concrete, haiku).
  • drama (skits, plays).

2.06 Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.

5. Background information for teacher:

  • permanent magnets have two poles- a north and a south- cannot just have one pole
  • like poles repel; opposite poles attract
  • magnets produce magnetic fields
  • a magnetic field is invisible; it provides the force that pulls on other magnetic materials and attracts or repels other magnets.
  • Some materials that can be magnetized, which are also the ones that are strongly attracted to a magnet, are iron, nickel, cobalt, and some rare earth metals.

6. Science Activity:

Lesson: Magnet Fishing

Materials:

  • bar or horseshoe magnet
  • brown paper lunch bag or zip type bag
  • various objects to test:
  • wooden toothpick
  • penny
  • jewelry
  • plastic cup
  • paper clips
  • thread
  • needles or pins
  • rubber bands
  • elastic hair bands
  • tin can
  • aluminum foil
  • crayon
  • nail
  • paper
  • school scissors
  • tack
  • staples
  • bobby pin or barrette
  • Magnet Fishing Data Sheet

Activity:

  1. Students will be divided into small groups. Each group will be given a box containing several items listed above. Students will predict which items can be picked up with a magnet and which cannot. They will record predictions on the data sheet. Students will then conduct an experiment to find out which items actually are magnetic and which aren’t.
  2. Students should come to the conclusion that many metals are magnetic. You may wish to discuss more specifically that iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt are magnetic. Be sure to address that some metals (e.g., copper and aluminum) are not attracted to magnets
  3. Discuss students’ result. Why did they have the predictions they did? What was the actual result? Why? How did you know some of these objects were magnetic? Can you think of any other magnets we see in everyday life?

7. Assessments:

  • During- monitor progress with their experiment and data sheet. Look at student responses and predictions to see what they already know.
  • After- Take up original data sheet. Show additional objects to the class. Students will state whether the objects are magnetic or not.

8. Statement of Goals:

  • Students will understand what makes a magnet
  • Students will understand what makes an object magnetic.