Magnets&

Static Electricity

Grade 3 ~ Physical Science: Invisible Forces (IF)

Ms. Lila Skinnerskinneli@uregina.ca

Unit Outcomes

• IF3.1 ~ Investigate the effects and applications of magnetic forces on a variety of materials. (draft)

• IF3.2 ~ Investigate the effects and applications of static electric forces on a variety of materials. (draft)

Unit Overview

• 14 lessons– 9 lessons for Magnets– 3 lessons for Electricity– 2 lessons for review & test

• Lots of hands on, interactive experiments and labs to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate the in depth aspects of magnets and static electricity.

• Students will be working independently and cooperatively with their classmates during this unit as they study and create their own magnets and electric devices from common materials.

• All info, notes, labs, and handouts are all included and ready to be photocopied.

Lesson #1

• Make a KWL chart with the class what they know and want to know about magnets

• Show & explain the types of magnets and their uses

• Magnetic or Nonmagnetic?? Experiment– Given items to predict whether they are magnetic

or not and in groups test them with various types and strengths of magnets

• Complete KWL chart with what they learned

Lesson #2

• Read: That Magnetic Dog by: Bruce Whatley• What is a Magnet?, What items are Magnetic? &

Poles fill-in-the-blank notes• Flying Butterflies exploration• Tug-a-war with class and explain how it is like

magnets

                                                

Lesson #3

• Magnet’s Magnetic Field • Experimenting with iron filing to see the

magnetic field of the magnet• Draw their magnet and the field that the iron

filings showed• Magnetic Lines of Force notes

Lesson #4

• Read: Franklin is Lost ~ Paulette Bourgeois • Earth is a natural magnet • Make a Compass by making a temporary

magnet• POE chart • Earth’s Magnetism notes handout

Lesson #5• CENTRES

– #1~Can you rescue a paperclip from a glass of water without getting wet?

– #2~ Will the paperclip climb the ruler?– #3~Can you guide a paperclip through the maze?– #4~Interactive website: Engineering Interact- Magnetic Forces

– #5~ Brainpop movie & Quiz- Magnetism

• Students will fill out a question sheet with one question per centre to show what they learned

Lesson #6

• Magnet’s Strength fill-in-the-blank notes

• 2 Measuring a Magnet’s Strength experiments

• Compare 2 magnets in Venn Diagram by strength, shape, length of force, etc.

Lesson #7

• Read ‘Magnets’ by Ron Brown lyrics• Discuss familiar uses of magnets

• Magnets can wreck things – Magnetic Storage info

• Distorting Sound experiment • Read ‘Magnets’ by Ron Brown lyrics one

more time but like a rap song this time

Lesson #8

• Bill Nye: The Science Guy – Magnetism video

• Students will answer the question sheet while they are watching the video

Lesson #9

• Making Refrigerator Magnets• Students will be moulding the already prepared

dough into a shape that fits into a theme in the classroom

• Bake, paint, & share with class

Lesson #10• Talk about Static Electricity• Experiments are a class demonstration:

– On End– Charged or Not Charged– Making Sparks

• Static Electricity notes• Summarize and explain experiments

Lesson #11

• Brainstorm with the class on a web what machines that they own use batteries

• Making a Circuit experiment• insulators, conductors, circuits matching

handout

Lesson #12

• Potato Power

• Make a Potato Battery to run a calculator with guided instruction

• POE chart in science duotang• Explain experiment/why it happened?

Lesson #13

• ‘Jeopardy’ theme song

• Play ‘Jeopardy’ keeping score for the teams

• Tally points review any questions they don’t understand for test next class

Lesson #14

• Unit Test– Handout– Students write– Hand in and read silently

Hope you have the opportunity to use my unit and enjoy!!