The Magic of Magnets

I have presented the work Magnetic / Non-Magnetic so many times over the years I have lost count. Generally, the children enjoy the lesson and do the work often. This year I added something new. Inside a small cloth envelope I placed a paperclip with a string attached to it. When I presented this extension to the lesson I had a captivated audience. They stared and then laughed and then clapped. It was that good.

The tray contained two laminated labels, one metal tray and one non-metal tray, a small box with a strong magnet inside, a zippered bag with assorted metal and non-metal objects and a small envelope with the string and paper clip inside.

The photo belows shows a child determining which items are magnetic and non-magnetic.











Here is the extension that captured the audience. The magnet is powerful enough to maintain a pull on the paperclip even when it is not touching it (about a distance of an inch).


















This student was so taken with the work that he brought in a coffee tin of objects to test today. It was wonderful to see his commitment to the work.