What's The Attraction

Elizabeth A. Abioro            Delano Elementary
                               3937 W. Wilcox
                               Chicago IL 60624
                               (312)534-6620

Objective:

     To experiment with magnetic attraction.  (Primary)

Materials Needed:

     magnets, two shoe boxes, a marker, assorted magnetic objects, assorted non-
magnetic objects

Strategy:

     1.  First label one box "yes" and the other box "no" and place both boxes 
on a table along with the magnets and assorted objects. 

     2.  Ask the children to predict whether or not a magnet will pick up each 
object, then touch a magnet to the object to test their predictions.  Tell 
students to place the objects the magnet picks up in the "yes" box and the 
objects the magnet does not pick up in the "no" box. 

     3.  Let students propose their own generalizations about what a magnet will 
pick up before you explain that only the objects made with iron are magnetic. 

NOTE:  It's important to include objects that appear similar but are made of 
different substance.  (For example, some paper fasteners are made with iron and 
some with brass, which is not magnetic; stainless-steel eating utensils will 
attract a magnet, but silver or silver-plated ones will not.)  Include metal 
objects that are not magnetic - coins and most keys are made out of non-magnetic 
metals.  Also be sure to include both magnetic and non-magnetic objects that 
have similar shapes and colors. 

Performance Assessment:

     Teacher observation

References:

     MacMillan Early Science Activities