Lesson 6: Strength of Magnets
Grade: 3rd
Topic: Strength of Magnets
Lesson # 6 in a series of 6 lessons
Brief Lesson Description: Using the EPE model, students will experiment with and make observations about using multiple magnets and their field strength.
Essential Question(s):
Are some magnets stronger than others?
Will putting magnets together make them stronger or weaker?
Learning Outcomes:
Students will investigate how magnets attract and repel.
Students will determine if more magnets will create a stronger field.
Students will use multiple magnets to attract objects.
NYS Science Standards:
S1.1 Ask "why" questions in attempts to seek greater understanding concerning objects
and events they have observed and heard about.
• S1.1a Observe and discuss objects and events and record observations
• S1.1b Articulate appropriate questions based on observations
5.1e Magnetism is a force that may attract or repel certain materials.
Background Information
Materials (for each group):
Prior Student Knowledge:
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
LESSON PLAN
Opening Activity – Access Prior Learning / Stimulate Interest / Generate Questions:
Lesson Description & Probing Questions:
EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:
Vocabulary:
Have students record the following vocabulary words in their journals, defining them based on the class discussion.
Extensions:
Assessment:
Topic: Strength of Magnets
Lesson # 6 in a series of 6 lessons
Brief Lesson Description: Using the EPE model, students will experiment with and make observations about using multiple magnets and their field strength.
Essential Question(s):
Are some magnets stronger than others?
Will putting magnets together make them stronger or weaker?
Learning Outcomes:
Students will investigate how magnets attract and repel.
Students will determine if more magnets will create a stronger field.
Students will use multiple magnets to attract objects.
NYS Science Standards:
S1.1 Ask "why" questions in attempts to seek greater understanding concerning objects
and events they have observed and heard about.
• S1.1a Observe and discuss objects and events and record observations
• S1.1b Articulate appropriate questions based on observations
5.1e Magnetism is a force that may attract or repel certain materials.
Background Information
Materials (for each group):
- 4 or 5 disc magnets
- multiple small magnetic washers
- 1 jumbo paper clip
- 1 Bar magnet
- transparent sheet
- iron filings
Prior Student Knowledge:
- Vocabulary and information learned in Lesson 5: Intro to Magnets
- Magnets attract and repel
- Some objects are magnetic, some are not
Possible Preconceptions/Misconceptions:
- Having multiple magnets together will not change the strength of the magnets
LESSON PLAN
Opening Activity – Access Prior Learning / Stimulate Interest / Generate Questions:
- As a class, we will discuss our knowledge about magnets learned in the previous lesson:
- What do magnets do?
- What objects will magnets attract?
- Why do magnets attract these objects?
- As a class, gather around a table for the demonstration. Begin to explain that you will be pouring iron filings on top of the transparent sheet that is on the bar magnet. Ask the class if they have any predictions as to what will happen next.
- After sharing predictions, pour on the iron filings to show the magnetic field. Explain to the class that this is the “invisible field, or force” that makes the magnets attract or repel.
- Have students draw a picture of the magnet, and its magnetic field, in their science journal.
- Next, the teacher will ask the class to get in groups of 2 to 3 students (these groups may be formed by the teacher based on ability/behavior if needed).
Lesson Description & Probing Questions:
- Each group will receive disc magnets, a jumbo paper clip, and washers.
- The group will also receive a task card, which is attached below.
- Guiding questions for the groups include:
- How many washers can you pick up using 1 magnet?
- How many washers can you pick up using multiple magnets?
- What do you think happens to the magnetic field when you add more magnets to the paper clip?
EXPLAIN: Concepts Explained and Vocabulary Defined:
- As a class, discuss the experiences and patterns found during the activity. What type of objects were magnetic?
- How many washers did you pick up using 1 magnet? 2? More?
- What patterns did you find?
- Did you notice anything new or surprising when experimenting?
- Based on these observations and patterns, what do you think happened to the magnetic fields when you added more magnets to the paper clip?
- Fill in the explanations section together
- More magnets = stronger magnetic field.
- Magnetic fields can “work together” to become stronger and pick up more objects
- Now go over vocabulary as a class
Vocabulary:
Have students record the following vocabulary words in their journals, defining them based on the class discussion.
- Magnetic Field - the portion of space near a magnetic object within which magnetic forces can be detected
Extensions:
- Students can make predictions about using more magnets, and what they might be able to pick up. To do this, ask students to think about using more disc magnets, and how many they might think they would need to pick up something bigger than the washers, like a metal pen. Then allow them to be creative by letting them choose a larger magnetic object that they would want to pick up. Once chosen, they will predict how many disc magnets they would need to attract this object. This prediction will be recorded in their science journal, with an explanation.
Assessment:
- Observations of questions and thoughts throughout the lesson
- Collection of journals with a checklist to determine understanding of lesson and concepts
Checklist for Journals:
- Student participated in journal entries for the lesson
- Student created an EPE model and contributed to all three sections
- Student recorded experiences based on their experimentation
- Student recorded logical patterns based on their experimentation
- Student recorded explanations and vocabulary based on class discussion
- Student created a prediction that aligned with the knowledge that they learned from the lesson