Magnetic Energy Fun for Kids

Do you need some fun resources to teach about Magnetic Energy to kids?

This is a fun science topic that kids usually like a lot!!!

Here's a collection of activities, experiments, ideas, puzzles, resources,  videos, and other links to help you teach about MAGNETISM.

Just click on any or all of the links below the picture that sound interesting to you! :)



Magnetic Energy Resources for Teachers and Parents

Magnetism Introduction

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/magnetism-introduction.html

Magnetic Poles

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/magnetic-poles.html

How strong is your magnet?

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-strong-is-your-magnet.html

Conduct a Test with Magnets

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/conduct-test-with-magnets.html

Magnets and Matter

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/magnets-and-matter.html

Magnetism Word Search and Bill Nye Video on Magnetism

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/magnetism-word-search.html

Making a Simple Compass

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/making-simple-compass.html

Creating an Electromagnet

http://learningideasgradesk-8.blogspot.com/2011/01/creating-electromagnet.html

Magnetism Word Search Puzzle (free)

http://www.learningworkroom.com/

Science Experiment Form (free)

http://www.learningworkroom.com/

LOTS more ideas on my Magnetic Energy Pinterest Board :)

http://www.pinterest.com/marcia_murphy22/magnestism/

Have fun with magnets!

 

Magnets and the Scientific Method Video and Experiment Form

Here's a great, free video from Brain Pop Jr. that answers the following questions about Magnets and the Scientific Method.

1. What kinds of metal objects do magnets attract?
2. What is the scientific method?
3. How do you do an experiment?
4. How can you record data?
5. How do you draw a conclusion?

Click here: Magnets and the Scientific Method Video 

You can visit Learning Workroom's website for a FREE Science Experiment Form Worksheet that you can download and print.

Click here: Science Experiment Form
Then go to: Free Worksheets 

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Magnets and Matter

In the previous activity children observed that a magnet can attract a paper clip(s).
In this experiment, we will observe if magnets can attract a paper clip(s) through 3 different forms of matter solid (plastic), liquid (water) and gas (air).

Frog Magnet Bought at a Hardware Store!

Directions:

Have the students make a prediction before each activity.

First let's try the solid (plastic). Put 1 or a couple of paper clips in a plastic cup. Then hold the magnet against the outside of the cup? Observe what happens. Does the magnet attract the paper clip(s) through the plastic?

Second, let's try the gas (air). Hold the magnet over the cup which has a paper clip in it. You may have to lower it into the cup a bit depending on the strength of the magnet. Observe. Does the magnet attract the paper clip(s)?

Third, let's try the liquid (water). Add just a little water to a cup that has 1 or more paper clips inside. Again lower the magnet into the cup (but not into the water). Observe. How did the magnet do? Did it pick up the paper clip(s) out of the water?

Other solids that you could try are paper and aluminum foil!
Have fun!

Children should sketch pictures of the experiments in their science notebooks and record their results.

Conduct a Test with Magnets

Magnetic Energy - Magnetism Test

Which objects will a magnet pick up (attract)?

Bar Magnet

Horseshoe Magnets

1. Have the kids conduct a Magnetism Test.
2. Collect 10 or more small objects (eraser, marble, penny, paper clip, elastic, key, dollar bill, etc.) and put them in a ziplock bag, paper lunch bag, plastic cup (I recycle my large plastic Dunkin' Donuts cups!!!), or other container.
3. Give the objects to each child. Have older students divide a page into 3 columns. In column 1 have them write the names of the objects. Have a written list or pictures for younger students.
4. In column 2, have the kids PREDICT then RECORD whether they think each object will be attracted to a magnet or not. A simple "Yes" or "No" is fine. Younger students can use "Y" or "N" or draw smiley faces for Yes :) and put an "X" for No.
5. Then give each child a magnet so that they can test each object.
6. In column 3, they should record their RESULTS.
7. Finish up with a discussion and review of the types of materials that magnets are attracted to (objects made of iron, steel, nickel,  or cobalt).
8. In the discussion, they could also talk about what materials the objects that were not attracted to the magnets were made of (rubber, paper, plastic, styrofoam, copper, etc.). 

You can download a FREE 3 column Graphic Organizer at Learning Workroom's website.

Click here: Learning Workroom

Go to: Free Worksheets

clipart by www.graphicsfactory.com

Here are some resources available at Amazon.

 




 

  



 




 




 



 

 

Have Fun with Science!

Magnetism Word Search and Video

Magnetic Energy

Kids usually like doing Word Searches. It's a great way to introduce or review the essential vocabulary for a unit on Magnetism or any other topic.

You can visit Learning Workroom's website for a FREE Magnetic Energy Word Search that you can download and print.

   Click here: http://www.LearningWorkroom.com
   Then go to: Free Worksheets

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Here's a video by Bill Nye on Magnetism.

Click Here: Bill Nye Magnetism Video

Have fun with Science!

Magnetism Introduction

One way to start a new topic is to create a KWL Chart (a 3 column list) with your students.

KWL Chart

Magnetic Energy

1. In the 1st column, list what the students think they Know about the topic.
2. In the 2nd column, list what they Wonder about the topic. (They can list their questions about the topic here.)
3. After the topic/unit is complete, in the 3rd column, list what the children have Learned.

Animal Magnets Bought at a Hardware Store

• After the students (and teacher) have filled in the 1st and 2nd column of the KWL Chart, give each child a magnet. Any magnet will work!  Refrigerator magnets will work great!
• Have students explore (go around the house or classroom) and find 10 or more items (refrigerator, dishwasher, file cabinet, steel door, etc.) that the magnets "stick to" or are "attracted to". Caution the kids to stay away from the computer!)
• They should list these items in their science notebooks. (Younger kids could look for less objects and sketch pictures instead.)
• You can make it a contest and see which child can list the most items that the magnet will attract.
• Children can then share their lists with each other.
• Ask children what they think all these items have in common.
• Share with the children that magnets will only attract items made of iron, steel, nickel, or cobalt.

You can visit Learning Workroom's website for a FREE KWL Chart that you can download and print.

Click here: https://www.LearningWorkroom.com

Then go to: Free Worksheets

Here are some good children's books on magnets.


              

   

Magnets-  Pulling Together - Pushing Apart