A child in elementary class knows what is a magnet. But they are ignorant of its properties. This lesson plan will give them an idea on the concept of magnets and how magnets work. This lesson plan is intended to introduce elementary class students to magnetism.
Objective:
Magnets are those metals which has the ability to attract other metals. Each magnet has two poles namely North Pole and South Pole. North pole of a magnet attract south pole of another magnet. While same poles ( north - north or south - south ) repels.
Introducing Magnets:
Activity 1:
Materials:
Bar Magnets
Match Boxes
Iron Dust
Chart Paper Small pieces of color Papers ( in the size of match box)
Non- toxic Gum
Procedure:
- Show your students a bar magnet and the two poles marked on each side.
- Divide your students into small groups and provide each group with one piece of color paper and match box.
- Instruct them to draw the face of an animal in the paper.
- Let them stick the face on their match box.
- Place the chart paper on the table and place match boxes on it.
- Put some iron dust into each of the match boxes.
- Take the magnet under the chart paper and slowly move it. Students can see the paper animals moving.
Analysis and Conclusion: From the observation of this funny experiment students will understand that certain materials have the property to attract other materials.
How magnets work:
Activity 1:
Materials :
Steel spoons
Iron nails
Safety Pins
Glass pebbles
Paper pieces
Procedure:
- Provide each group with one magnet and the above materials.
- Instruct them to find the objects which are attracted by the magnet.
Analysis and Conclusion:
From their observation they will understand that magnets attract only metals.
Activity 2:
Materials:
Bar magnets
Iron nails
Procedure:
- Take two bar magnets and bring them close.
- Instruct your students to observe what happens when two magnets come near.
- Now provide each group with some iron nails and a bar magnet. Instruct them to arrange the nails one after another in a row.
- Now let them bring the magnet near to the first nail and slowly raise it. They can see a chain made of nails.
- Provide each group with another magnet.
- Direct them to bring one pole of this new magnet near to the end of the nail chain.
- Repeat the process by changing the pole.
- Let them write down their observation. If the first nail stick at the north pole of the first magnet then the south pole of the new magnet will be repelled by the last nail whereas it stick to the new magnets north pole. If the first nail stick at the south pole then the reverse occur.
Analysis and Conclusion:
From this experiment they will understand that same poles repel and opposite poles attract. Thus these two activities will give an idea on 'how magnets work'.
Since the above mentioned activities require the active participation of students, this lesson plan on magnetism which describes, how magnets work, is the best tool to arise a scientific interest in the minds of elementary class students.