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Poles apart

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Amazing Magnets

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Objectives

Explore how magnets behave towards each other in a variety of different exciting challenges. Discover that magnets have 2 poles and that same poles repel whilst opposite poles attract. Learn that the world itself is a giant magnet!

Science Objectives
i) Observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others.

ii) Describe magnets as having two poles.

Working Scientifically

  1. Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables.
  2. Use straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support findings.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Task PowerPoint
  • 3 Strikes and You’re Out PowerPoint
  • Copies of 6 different challenge sheets

Additional Resources

  • Your A4 cards of unanswered questions from previous sessions
  • A wide range of different magnets including: wand, bar, compass, ring and pole, horseshoe, super and marbles
  • A plastic tub of water for each compass magnet

Weblinks
This short clip explains about magnetic force and demonstrates how magnets attract and repel one another from www.bbc.co.uk

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Explore how magnets behave towards each other and form theories to explain it.
  • Understand that magnets have 2 poles and that opposite poles attract and like poles repel.

Activities

  1. Play a game to revise and reinforce prior learning on magnetic forces.
  2. Explore how magnets behave towards one another in a wide variety of different situations.
  3. Form theories and seek to explain findings.
  4. Learn that magnets have 2 poles and that same poles repel whilst opposite poles attract.
  5. Consider and explain their exploratory findings in terms of this scientific knowledge.

Investigation - exploring/predicting
Investigate the polarisation of magnets, making predictions and testing ideas.

Vocabulary
Magnetic, non-magnetic, attract, repel, attraction, repulsion, poles, north, south

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