14 Activity: What is magnetic?
Supplies per student:
1 small magnet
Supplies for class:
Several cups throughout table
A large pile of shared items to test (see bottom of page)
Question: What is magnetic? After sorting activity, ask what they discovered.
Directions: Let students explore what materials are magnetic and sort them into cups of magnetic vs. not magnetic. As an extension, let them explore what is magnetic in the classroom
Theory: Not all shiny items are magnetic. Only items that contain steel will be attracted to the magnet.
Grades: 1st – 4th grade
Time: 15-20 minutes
Clean Up: Return items from cups to common container for use next time.
Notes and Hints: This is mainly exploratory. Keep magnets away from credit cards or sensitive electronics.
Ideas for items to test: small rocks, nails, paperclips, foil, steel wool, pipe cleaners, pieces of plastic, hair clips, shiny items, craft odds and ends, pennies.
Image Credit: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/61459/magnet-activities/
Media Attributions
- magnets