Push and Pull: Exploring Magnets

Learning Objectives

• Sort objects into those a magnet attracts and those it does not, and explain that magnets attract iron and steel.
• Describe the north and south poles of a magnet and explain when magnets attract or repel.
• Give examples of how people use magnets every day.

Lesson Procedure

• If you can, give each pair a magnet and a tray of objects for the warm-up test.
• Teach attract, repel and poles with the slides, then use worksheet activities 1 to 7.
• Use the quiz to check learning and send the magnet hunt homework page home.

Assessment

Worksheet activities 1 to 6 and the quiz check sorting, poles and vocabulary. Use the rubric for the drawing and explanation in activity 7.

Differentiation

Support: let students test real objects before writing and give them a word bank. Challenge: ask students to find out whether all metals are attracted (aluminum foil is not) and to explain why a compass needle points north.

Classroom Activity Ideas

• Magnet test tray: pairs predict yes or no for each object, then test it with a magnet and record the result.
• Through it or not? Test whether a magnet can pull a paper clip through paper, a plastic lid and a thin book.
• Magnet fishing: tie a magnet to a string and try to catch paper fish with a paper clip on each one.

Teacher Tips

Use objects that are clearly steel or iron, such as paper clips, safety pins and iron nails. Many keys, coins and spoons are made of metals that magnets do not attract, which can confuse young learners. Keep magnets away from phones and computers, and never give small magnets to children who might put them in their mouths.

What's Included

• 12-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
• Key vocabulary list (7 words with meanings and examples)
• Student worksheet (7 activities)
• Quiz / assessment (4 parts)
• Homework practice page
• Printable flashcards: 7 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
• Assessment rubric (4 levels)
• Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
• Editable Word version of all student pages
• Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

Additional Files

• Lesson Slides (PowerPoint, editable) (PPTX)
• Editable Student Pages + Lesson Plan (Word) (DOCX)
• Flashcards (PDF, A5, one card per page) (PDF)
• Answer Key (PDF) (PDF)

Teacher Reviews