Summary
Students will use a needle and a magnet to create a compass
Materials
- Needles
- Magnets: bars, rings
horseshoes, etc.
- Styrofoam plates
- Water pitcher
- Water
Additional Resources
Books
- Usborn Science Activities--Vol. 1, by Joan and Maurice Martin
(Usborn Publishing Ltd, Usborn House, 83-85 Saffron Hill,
London, EC1N 8RT, England. Copyright 1992, www.edcpub.com or www.ubah.com); ISBN 0-7460-0698-5
- Usborn Science Activities--Science With Magnets, by Joan and
Maurice Martin (Usborn Publishing Ltd, Usborn House, 83-85
Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8RT, England. Copyright 1992,
www.edcpub.com or www.ubah.com); ISBN 0-7460-1259-4
- World Book, Young Scientist--Light & Electricity--Magnetic Power,
by Hemesh Alles (World Book Inc., 525 West Monroe Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copyright 1992); ISBN 0-7166-2791-4
- The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia--Vol. M,
(World Book Inc., 233 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60601.
http://www.worldbook.com, 1-800-975-3250. Copyright 2000);
ISBN 0-7166-7400-9
Video
- The Magic of Magnetism, (100% Educational Videos; 4921 Robert J.
Matthews Pkwy, El Dorado Hills, California 95762,
http://www.schoolvideos.com/index.cfm); VHS Product #1010S,
DVD Product #S1401
Background for Teachers
- You can make a compass by creating a magnet.
- Earth is a magnet.
- By rubbing a magnet in the same direction over a needle, a
magnet is created.
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Use Science Process and Thinking Skills
2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests
Instructional Procedures
Invitation to Learn
Ask “Why does a compass point north?”
Instructional Procedures
- Pass out needles and magnets.
- Have half of the class stroke needles on the north end of the
magnet and the other half stroke needles on the south end.
- Place needles on floating Styrofoam disks in water-filled plates.
- Have students journal results.
- Rearrange students in different groups and compare results.
Extensions
- Measure the distance, in centimeters or inches, that a compass is
affected by different magnets.
- Allow students with special needs to think and respond to
journaling activities as a homework assignment with parents.
Also allow them to share their results with class members as part
of the Language Arts Core Curriculum.
Family Connections
- Students check out five marked and magnetized needles and
classify according to polarity.
- Create a compass course for students and parents to complete
after school.
- Have teams create a compass course to be exchanged with
another team.
- Share journal results with parents.
- Allow students with special needs to think and respond to
journaling activities as a homework assignment with parents.
Assessment Plan
Have students design an experiment to test compared results.
Created: 11/03/2004
Updated: 10/07/2022
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