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Let’s Build (Materials) – Magnets and Metal
Objectives
To explore, talk about and describe what happens when magnets approach and touch different materials.
To understand that not all metals are magnetic.
Resources
Magnets | Metal objects attracted to magnets | Jar | Paper clips | String | 📄 Magnet Games | Camera or other Recording Device | Assignment 5
Vocabulary
magnetic | non-magnetic | metal | materials | properties
Today's Lesson
Assignment
This lesson works towards Assignment 5. Please access the assignment for details about what you will need to submit to your student's Wolsey Hall tutor.
What to Notice
Ask your student to spend some time exploring the magnets and magnetic objects.
Listen to what they say and encourage them to ask questions about what they are finding out.
Write their questions down as you hear them, so that you can refer back to them later.
Introduction
Have magnets available on the table as you start the lesson, together with magnetic objects. You may have a set of magnets, but you can also often find magnets in objects you have around the home.
For example: fridge magnet, the door of a fridge or freezer, on the clasp of some handbags, on the lid of some cosmetics, on some kitchen doors, children’s toys (trains, blocks and so on).
Main Activity
Discuss with your student what they know about magnets.
Ask them to go on a magnet investigation around the room, with a magnet.
Ask, ‘What can you find that is magnetic?’
Ask them to consider the question:
- Does everything that is made of metal stick to a magnet?
They may want to write down or draw what they find out.
Next, show your student a jar of water. Drop a paper clip into the jar. Challenge your student with this question:
- How can you get the paper clip out of the jar without spilling the water or getting your hands wet?
Give them time to have a go at getting the paper clip out. You may want to make string available in case they decide to tie a magnet on to the string and lower it into the jar.
Apply
When they have completed the Main Activity, ask your student to think about what sort of game they could make with their magnets.
Suggest games such as a simple fishing game, a magnetic maze or map (magnet under a piece of paper and a paperclip) or a strength test with different magnets (how many paper clips can your magnet hold?).
Look at the 📄 Magnet Games for further ideas.
Allow time for your student to have a go at the different magnet games and to share with their friends/peers what they have created.
Record or film your student playing their magnet game to submit as part of Assignment 5. Film your student talking about what they have learnt about magnets by asking questions such as:
- ‘How does the game work?’
- ‘How do the magnets make the game work?’
- ‘Which material have you used? Is it magnetic? How do you know?’
- ‘What does magnetic mean?’
Discuss the properties of metal objects and why some metals stick to magnets.
Ask your student to consider the question:
- Why do some metals stick to magnets and other metals don't?
Then access Assignment 5 and follow the instructions for submission.