Filed under: Science
We just completed our study of magnets. The students were excited to get to learn about magnetism and experience the properties of magnets through hands-on experiences. It ranked high on their interest level…almost as high as recess and P.E! When the students are excited about learning, it just seems to “stick.” (No magnet pun intended!)
On their assessment, the students had to complete the following task: Describe magnetism in your own words. Here are some of the responses that show a true understanding:
“The poles of a magnet are either plus or minus or north or south. The magnetic force is invisible. The poles of north and south will attract if you put them close together.” Allison
“Magnets attract to stuff like iron, steel, and cobalt. The earth is one big magnet. Magnet’s force is invisible.” Nick
“Magnets will use force if it is iron, cobalt, steel, or nickel. The poles attract if they are opposite. If the same, they repel. The magnetic field is invisible.” Ian
“The force of the poles are the strongest. If you put something out of a magnet’s magnetic field, it won’t attract. If you put the same poles together, they will repel.” Chase
“The poles are the stongest. The magnetic field is invisible. Opposites attract. If the magnet is small, the force will be weak. If they are not opposite, they will repel.” Wyatt
“Magnetism is an invisible thing that attracts to metal like nails. A magnet has two poles, N and S or + and -. The force is only when the magnet is in the magnetic field. When the magnets are in the same side like N and N, the magnet repels.” Raneem
“Magnets attract to iron, cobalt, nickel, and steel. The force of a magnet will pick up anything that is in its magnetic field. There are two different poles, a north pole and a south pole. When you put two same poles together, they repel.” Christian
“There are poles on a magnet that attract and repel with force with a magnetic field.” Jacob
What else do you know about magnets? Can you name some ways magnets are used?
