LESSON PLAN

Grade: 5/6
Lesson Title: Magnetic Magic
Lesson Duration (mins): 45 (1:00-1:45)

Overview

Students have already been introduced to Topic B: Mechanisms Using Electricity. This lesson will connect
magnetism to their previous knowledge of electricity and develop an understanding of the connections between
magnetism and electricity.

Alberta Program of Study: Goals and Objectives

GLO /GLE
5–5 Demonstrate safe methods for the study of
magnetism and electricity, identify methods for
measurement and control, and apply techniques
for evaluating magnetic and electrical properties
of materials.
SLO/SLE
Describe and demonstrate example activities that show that
electricity and magnetism are related:
demonstrate that electricity can be used to create
magnetism

Critical Questions
Lesson Guiding Questions:
How does electricity create a magnet?
What is the strongest electromagnet you can create?
How does the number of wraps affect the strength of the electromagnet?
What did you do to make it stronger?

Learning Objectives:
Students will…
Demonstrate ways to create magnets using electricity (I can use electricity to make magnets)

Resources List:

ScienceFlix: ScienceFlix Kid friendly description of concepts, contains videos, text, and further applications
Video: could show at beginning and end of lessons Magnet Video
It’s a Wrap: sample activity (Edmonton public schools)

Material and Equipment

Copper wire
Bolts (1/student)
Cell (1/student)
Paperclips (handful/student)
Alligator clips (2/student)
Projector/google slides
Whiteboard, markers
1
Lesson Procedures

Introduction (5 min.):

(1-1:05) Begin the lesson with 2 magnets per student

Slide show: Remind students of electrical currents, connect to magnets
Explore N/N, N/S, S/S end interactions

Body (30 min.):

Steps and Procedures Identify Teaching Strategies:

(1:05-1:15) Direct Instruction: Describe how magnetic poles look Direct instruction, guided exploration
in magnets versus non magnets
Introduce electromagnets- describe that a current running along
a wire creates a magnetic field.
What is a magnetic field? Area around a magnet that creates a
force, the stronger the field the more the N/S ends attract, and Assessments
the like ends repel
Formative: Check in questions during
Transition (5 mins): students will grab: lesson, observation during independent
bolt exploration
wire
battery
paperclips (handful)
2 alligator clips

(1:20-1:35) Exploration: Students will try to make the strongest

electromagnet using the above materials
What is the strongest electromagnet you can create? What did
you do to make it stronger?

Differentiation
How does the number of wraps affect the strength of the electromagnet?
What makes a magnet different from other materials?

Frequent check ins. Review concepts/extra guidance in

exploration time

Consolidating and Closure (10 mins):

Discussion: What did you do to make an electromagnet?

How did you make it stronger?

ScienceFlix: Magnet Video

Return materials to the back table and prepare for break at 1:45.

2
3