Missouri Grade level Expectations for 2nd grade:

Strand 2: Properties and Principles of Force and Motion

2.A.a. Recognize magnets attract and repel each other and certain materials

2.A.b. Describe magnetism as a force that can push or pull other objects without touching them

2.A.c. Measure (using non-standard units) and compare the force (i.e., push or pull) required to overcome friction and move an object over different surfaces (i.e. rough, smooth)

Knowledge Objective: 1. Students will analyze the strength of magnets. 2. Students will discover that magnets differ in the strength of their attraction by testing various magnets' abilities to hold on to quantities of paper clips.

Performance Objective: Students will identify that magnets differ in the strength of their magnetic attraction.

Concept Introduction:

The students are using higher-order thinking skills to make predictions before making an experiment and then finding the actual results.  Students are documenting their results in a data chart to compare and contrast the strengths and weakness of various magnets.

Materials needed for the Activity:

1. Three different kinds of magnets per groups of four

2. 25 paper clips per group

3. Data Chart

Vocabulary:

Magnet- A magnet is an object or material that attracts certain metals, such as iron, nickel and cobalt

History:

If magnets are made of the same material, the heavier the magnet, the stronger it will be (unless they are very different in age since magnets age or weaken over time).  If magnets are made of different materials, heavier magnets may or may not be stronger. A magnet is an object or material that attracts certain metals, such as iron, nickel and cobalt. It can also attract or repel another magnet.  All magnets have North and South poles. When magnets are placed near each other, opposite poles attract and like poles repel each other.

Activity (Exploration):

Students will test the magnets strength by comparing the strengths of three different types of magnets by determining how many paper clips can be held by each type of magnet.

Data (Exploration):

Students will have a data chart recording their findings.  Students will first make predictions about how many paper clips will hold on the three different magnets and write their predictions on their data chart.  Once the experiment has started, the students will list on their data chart magnet number 1. They will test the magnet 1 on the paper clips and record how many paper clips were held on the magnet on their data chart. Then the students will test magnet number 2. They will test the magnet 2 on the paper clips and record how many paper clips were held on the magnet on their data chart.  Next, the students will test magnet number 3.  They will test the magnet 3 on the paper clips and record how many paper clips were held on their data chart. Then, the students will compare their results with others in the class.

Activity Enrichment (Application):

Students will make a temporary magnet.  They will take an iron nail and rub the iron nail with both hands at least 50 times in the same direction.  Then, the students will try to pick up a paper clip. They just made another type of magnet! Students will complete an observation worksheet.

Click on the arrow to go to the student page or use the links below.

Experiment

Student Page:

concept introduction

Exploration:     Magnet Data Chart

Application:      Home-made magnet Activity

Resources Link:

Resources: