Begin with a discussion about magnets and their everyday uses, such as in fridge magnets or magnetic clasps. This will engage students by connecting the lesson to real-world applications.
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Poles of a Magnet
Learning Objectives
- Understand that magnets have a North and South Pole where the pulling force is strongest.
- Identify that magnets can attract or repel each other depending on the poles that are facing each other.
- Explain that opposite poles of magnets attract, while like poles repel each other.
- Recognize that not all materials are affected by magnets, such as aluminium, gold, plastic, and wood.
Introduction and Hook
Direct Instruction
Explain the concept of magnetic poles, emphasizing that each magnet has a North and a South Pole where the pulling force is strongest.
Use the video 'All About Magnets' to visually demonstrate magnetic poles and fields. This video provides engaging demonstrations, such as using iron filings to visualize magnetic fields, which helps students understand the abstract concept of magnetism.
Guided Exploration
Conduct a class experiment where students use magnets to explore attraction and repulsion. Have them observe and record what happens when similar and opposite poles are brought close together.
Watch the video 'What is a Force?' to understand how magnets exert forces. This video helps students relate the concept of force to their experiment by showing real-world examples of pushes and pulls.
Hands-On Activity
Have students work in pairs to sort a variety of materials into those that are affected by magnets and those that are not. This will reinforce the idea that not all materials are magnetic.
Independent Practice
Assign the worksheet 'Magnetic Force' where students complete sentences and draw arrows to show force interactions. This helps them apply their knowledge of magnetic poles and forces.
Check for Understanding
Facilitate a class discussion to review the key concepts learned about magnetic poles and forces. Ask students to share their observations from the hands-on activities.
Review and Reflection
Have students reflect on what they learned by writing a short paragraph about how magnets work and their uses in everyday life.
Assessment and Extension
Use the 'Design and Build a Magnet Car' assessment to challenge students to apply their understanding of magnetic forces in a creative project. This task encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
Conclude with the unit quiz to assess students' comprehension of the lesson on magnetic poles and forces.
Try the Quiz
