From testing what sort of everyday objects are attracted to magnets to comparing the strength of different magnets, children deepen their observation skills while learning about the nature of magnets.

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Module Summary

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Lessons at a Glance

Lesson 1: Observing Magnets

Big Idea: Magnets cause a push or pull (a force).

Children are introduced to the Magnets Unit by exploring what happens to magnetic objects when placed near a magnet. They describe in detail what they observe. Through exploration, they learn that magnets cause a pull (a force) on magnetic materials.

Lesson 2: Is It Magnetic?

Big Idea: Magnets cause a push or pull (a force). Magnets pull on (attract) some materials and not others.

In groups, children investigate whether magnets pull on objects made of different types of materials. They go on a scavenger hunt in the classroom to find and test magnets on different objects and classify the objects as magnetic or non-magnetic. They then discuss what all magnetic objects have in common.

Lesson 3: Do Magnets Work Through Different Materials?

Big Idea: Magnetic forces push or pull even if objects don’t touch the magnet. Magnets can push or pull at a distance and through different materials.

Children observe how a magnet can attract a paper clip without touching it, establishing that the force of a magnet works through the air. Next, children carry out some investigations and discover that the force of a magnet works through many different materials.

Lesson 4: Looking for Animals in Soil

Big Idea: Magnets cause a push or pull (a force).

Children discuss whether all magnets have the same pulling strength. In groups, they think about different ways they might test the pulling strength of magnets and plan an investigation to test their ideas.

Lesson 5: Magnets on Magnets

Big Idea: Magnets cause a push or pull (a force).

Children observe the interaction between two magnets when they manipulate them on a flat surface. Next, the class predicts what happens when two donut magnets are stacked on top of one another on a pencil. During the exploration process, they discover that magnets can push (repel) as well as pull (attract) other magnets.

Lesson 6: Magnets in Everyday Use

Big Idea: You can do useful things with magnets.

Children complete the Magnets Unit by reviewing their magnet knowledge and thinking about everyday applications of magnets. They observe that magnets are an important part of how a compass works. They discuss different common objects that use magnets and search for magnets used in their homes. An optional component to this lesson challenges children to design something that uses magnets.