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Magnetic Fields: Making a Compass Lesson PlanMagnetic Fields: Making a Compass Lesson Plan
Publisher
Science Matters
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
4th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
45 mins
Instructional Strategies
Hands-on Activity
1 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Magnetic Fields: Making a Compass

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Magnetic Fields: Making a Compass lesson plan also includes:
  • Grade 4 Physical Science: Magnetism and Electricity Overview
  • Introduction and Conceptual Flow Narrative
  • Conceptual Flow Graphic
  • Activity
  • Join to access all included materials

What better way to understand how an object works than to make one! Learners take what they learned in the previous lessons and construct their own compasses. Using a needle, water, and styrofoam, they build and test compasses and verify that their devices is attracted to Earth's magnetic field.

3 Views 3 Downloads

Concepts

compasses, magnets, magnetic fields, magnetic poles, the earth's magnetic field

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Experiment with different materials when making compasses to compare properties
  • Have pupils complete a maze or scavenger hunt using their compasses to guide them

Classroom Considerations

  • Allow time to collect and prepare materials 
  • Lesson four in a 14-part unit covering magnetism

Pros

  • Incorporates readily available materials in the lesson
  • Provides teacher notes throughout the lesson guide as reminders of common issues

Cons

  • None

View 21,419 other resources for 4th Grade Science

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