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South Carolina ETV
1101 George Rogers Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29201-4761
Phone: 803-737-3545

Stuck on Magnets (Grade 2)

Master Teacher

Deborah Palmer

Overview

This lesson is designed as an introduction to magnets. Students will explore magnetic forces and their effects on common everyday objects, as well as discover ways in which magnets are used.

SC Science Standards Met

Area IV—Physical Science, Magnets

Strand B, Magnetism: 1a, d

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• classify common objects as magnetic or non-magnetic
• give examples of how magnets are used

Materials

Per partnership:

• "To Stick or Not to Stick" chart sheet
• 10_15 common objects (some metal and some non-metal)
• magnet
• pencil

ITV Series

Science Is Elementary, Lesson 7, "Let's Explore Magnets"

Previewing Activity

Introduce the lesson by displaying several different types of magnets. Ask students to identify the objects, and engage them in a discussion about what they know about magnets.

Focus for Viewing

To give students a specific responsibility while viewing, ask them to look for the objects in the video that stick to the magnet. Also, tell them to notice ways that magnets are used in every-day life.

Viewing Activity

Play the introduction to the program. Pause after the girl says, "Why don't they fall down?" Ask students what they think is holding the pictures on the refrigerator (magnets).

Next, play the segment of the girl touching various objects with a magnet. Pause when the words not attracted appear on the screen. Discuss the meanings of the words attracted and not attracted as related to magnets.

Forward the video until the girl appears with a shovel. View the segment about the uses of magnets. Stop the video at the end of the segment when you see the words, "You Try It!"

Post-Viewing Activities

1. Ask students to name ways that magnets were used in the video, and then ask them to name other ways that magnets work for people. Make a list of their responses on chart paper.

2. Have students recall the segment of the video where the girl was touching things with a magnet, and explain that they will try it with objects they know.

First, discuss the objects and have students make predictions about which ones they think will stick and which ones they think will not stick to the magnet.

Distribute materials to students, and have them work with a partner to complete the "To Stick or Not to Stick" activity sheet. When each group has sorted all of the objects, ask them what they noticed about all of the ones that stuck to the magnet (metal) and those that did not (non-metal). Students may write the name of each object and/or draw a picture of it in the appropriate column on the activity sheet.

Action Plan

1. Have students complete the prediction portion of the "Inside and Outside Magnets" sheet. Then allow them to test their predictions and write about their conclusions.

Extensions

1. Math: Using the "To Stick or Not to Stick" activity sheet, have students make and interpret a graph to show the number of objects that did and did not stick to the magnet.

2. Language: Read one or more of the following books about magnets.

• What Makes a Magnet? by Franklin M. Branley
• Concept Science: Magnets by Colin Walker
• Experiments with Magnets by Helen Challand.

3. Technology: Explore the following Web sites for useful information for the teacher and students.

• Website 1
• Website 2
• Website 3

Activity Sheets (PDF)

• To Stick or Not to Stick
• Inside and Outside Magnets