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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes

Magnets and magnetic materials

Electricity and magnetism

CCSS NGSS.3-PS2-3CCSS NGSS.3-PS2-4England: KS2 Y3 Forces and magnets

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Magnets and magnetic materials.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.

Leads to: Static electricity and charges; Electromagnets; Magnet poles: attract or repel?

Materials: Circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs), Circuit symbol cards, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. The south pole of one magnet is brought near the north pole of another. Do they attract or repel? (attract / repel) → attractPrompt: Like poles repel; unlike (opposite) poles attract.
  2. Is an iron nail attracted to a magnet? (magnetic / not magnetic) → magneticPrompt: Only a few metals are attracted to magnets.
  3. Which way does the north pole of a compass needle point? (towards the nearest wall / downwards / towards the Earth's magnetic north / always towards the Sun) → towards the Earth's magnetic northPrompt: The Earth behaves like a giant magnet.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
  • Share the objective: Magnets and magnetic materials. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: The south pole of one magnet is brought near the north pole of another. Do they attract or repel?
  • Step 1: They are opposite poles.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: attract
  • Answer: attract
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. The south pole of one magnet is brought near the north pole of another. Do they attract or repel? (attract / repel) → attractPrompt: Like poles repel; unlike (opposite) poles attract.
  2. Is a steel paper clip attracted to a magnet? (magnetic / not magnetic) → magneticPrompt: Only a few metals are attracted to magnets.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. The south pole of one magnet is brought near the north pole of another. Do they attract or repel? (attract / repel) → attractPrompt: Like poles repel; unlike (opposite) poles attract.
  2. Is a cobalt magnet attracted to a magnet? (magnetic / not magnetic) → magneticPrompt: Only a few metals are attracted to magnets.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Use concrete materials: circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Static electricity and charges; Electromagnets; Magnet poles: attract or repel?.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Magnets and magnetic materials

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    The north pole of one magnet is brought near the north pole of another. Do they attract or repel?

    • A. attract
    • B. repel

  2. Question 2

    Is a nickel wire attracted to a magnet?

    • A. magnetic
    • B. not magnetic

  3. Question 3

    How could you test which of two magnets is stronger?

    • A. see which is longer
    • B. see which is shinier
    • C. see which is heavier
    • D. count how many paper clips each can hold in a chain

  4. Question 4

    The south pole of one magnet is brought near the south pole of another. Do they attract or repel?

    • A. attract
    • B. repel

  5. Question 5

    Is an iron nail attracted to a magnet?

    • A. magnetic
    • B. not magnetic

  6. Question 6

    Where is a bar magnet's force strongest?

    • A. in the middle
    • B. at its poles (ends)
    • C. nowhere
    • D. it is the same everywhere

  7. Question 7

    Is a plastic spoon attracted to a magnet?

    • A. magnetic
    • B. not magnetic

  8. Question 8

    The north pole of one magnet is brought near the south pole of another. Do they attract or repel?

    • A. attract
    • B. repel

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Answer key: Magnets and magnetic materials

  1. 1. B. repel

  2. 2. A. magnetic

  3. 3. D. count how many paper clips each can hold in a chain

  4. 4. B. repel

  5. 5. A. magnetic

  6. 6. B. at its poles (ends)

  7. 7. B. not magnetic

  8. 8. A. attract