Science Investigation Box - Magnets!

Magnets are an interesting concept for young learners. In my science methods class, I created a magnet investigation box that students can explore.

Behold! The Magnet Investigation Box!

I created a list of the activities children can do with the materials provided. 

I incorporated a variety of books about magnets in my investigation box for students to explore. The books are at various levels of students' comprehension and include many pictures of the ways magnets can be used. I like to read Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart as a read aloud with the whole group before beginning the activities. 

This is a sensory box that students can use to identify items that are magnetic or not magnetic. They take a magnetic want and wave it through the box to see what sticks to the magnet. 

Children can record their findings on this graphic organizer....

...or place magnetic items on this magnet board. 

Horseshoe magnets are included in the kit to test different objects in the classroom. They can record their findings in this document by drawing or writing.

As students become more familiar with how magnets work, they can begin to understand polarity. I included magnets tied to a string and small compasses in the investigation box for students to experiment with. 

They can see how the compass changes based on how the magnet turns.

Here are a few children I worked with in the Dominican Republic using magnets and learning how they work.

Extensions:

1. Create a racing game with magnets. Children will use repelling magnets to move an object from one side of a paper to another. Practice with strong and weak magnets and discuss which works best.

2. Put magnetic fish in a small aquarium. Ask children to predict whether or not the magnets will work in water. Have children make the fish "swim" with a magnet they hold up to the glass. Discuss how they think this happened. 

3. Make magnetic slime. Let children manipulate the slime with different objects. 

My Favorite Science Websites and Blogs

Websites and blogs are a great, interactive way for students to be involved in science discovery. Here are 10 of my favorites.

1. E is for Explore: This blog contains many unique science experiments for teachers to implement along with students to discover themselves. The best part? Each activity conforms to Common Core State Standards.

2. Science Gal: This blogger is a science teacher who updates her readers on a weekly basis with interesting activities to do with young children. Her blog was voted in the top five for "Most Fascinating Education Blog."

3. Crime Scene: Older students are fascinated by TV shows about solving crimes. This website has an interactive crime scene where students can look for clues, match fingerprints, and solve a crime based on their experiences.

4. Discovery Kids: The Discovery Channel does a great job creating engaging and motivating materials for younger viewers. This Discovery Kids website contains numerous games, puzzles, and activities for children.

5. Smithsonian Education: Many children in this area have been to a Smithsonian museum. This website offers another tool for children to use at home while still discovering exhibits. They include interesting games and activities for all learners.

6. Enchanted Learning: This website contains hundreds of interactive science activities for grades Pre-K - 4. The sidebar has links information about many topics of interest and students will have fun playing the games.

7. Bill Nye: Growing up I loved watching Bill Nye the Science Guy videos in class. He demonstrates many real life examples of science in a humorous way. Children will like watching the videos on his website learning about home demos they can do outside of the classroom.

8. Sea and Sky: This website offers many activities, games, and resources about both oceans and the sky. This is a great resource for a unit on either subject or simply something children can explore on their own.

9. Science Explorer: Children will have fun exploring the many science experiments listed on this website. The topics range from static electricity to exploring color. The activities would be a great demonstration for a class or something a child can do with parents at home.

10. Funology: Q: Why wouldn’t they let the butterfly into the dance? A: Because it was a mothball! Corny jokes like this and more can be found on this colorful website that is based on the notion that science is fun. There are many different experiments to try and games to play.

Great Science Lesson Plans

Friction Lesson: This is a great, hands-on lesson where students can learn about the power of friction in their everyday lives. They will experiment with matchbox cars and race to see how different surfaces affect how cars move. The lesson can be adapted for grades K-5.

The Five Senses: Using a variety of materials and the book, Old MacDonald had a Dragon, Kindergarten students will discover how their five senses work. They can experiment using their senses by touching different fabrics, tasting different foods, and so on.

Space: This lesson plan unit includes many graphic organizers about the sun, moon, and stars. Not only does it contain scientific facts and experiments, but it also includes literacy and reading centers you could set up around your classroom for younger elementary students.

States of Matter: Children and teachers are able to find science all around them. The great thing about this lesson plan is that it uses many different hands-on experiences to demonstrate and give meaning to the terms molecule and matter. Children of all ages will enjoy playing with the different states of matter and creating a rocket of soda and mentos.

Plants: This lesson plan for first and second grade introduces children to the parts of plants and seeds, how they grow, and how they are helpful to humans. They will enjoy watching a seed grow throughout the unit. It can also be differentiated for many different students and grades.

Snot and Boogers: Children are extremely motivated and intrigued by gross science. This lesson plan explains why we have snot and boogers and gives them opportunities to create their own using jello. They will love talking about this with their parents!

Density: This lesson plan for older students uses an experiment to show why hot water rises and cold water sinks. They learn about convection because of density and can visually see how it works.

Ocean: Underwater life can be very intriguing for children. This lesson gives them the opportunity to explore different ocean animals and ocean zones. Additionally, it includes a math and literacy component that makes it a cross-curricular unit.

Animal Kingdom: Kindergarteners will learn about the different animals around the world with this lesson. They will also begin learning about habitats that are suited best for some animals and talk about their needs.

Healthy Diet: Second graders will learn about eating a healthy diet. They will learn about the importance of vitamins and minerals and create a healthy meal using the food pyramid.

Good Reads

What Is the World Made of? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld

 

This book for young readers introduces children to the three states of matter - solids, liquids, and gases. Children will learn the importance and meaning of each state of matter and answer questions like "why can't I walk through walls" and "why are there 'blocks' in my drink?"
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/what-world-made

Using the wonderful illustrations in this book, elementary students can gain a better foundation of solids, liquids, and gases and apply their knowledge in the real world.

The Electronic Adventures of Diga Byte by Meredith Mammano

"Diga Byte is a small chubby worm who lives in a family's computer. He rides a wonderful traun called the Internet Express all over the World Wide Web in search of knowledge and fun. A rumbling tummy and a wrong turn on the USB bus send him into the family's digital camera where he explores all the images of their vacation until he is downloaded again back in to his computer."
http://thereadingtub.com/childrens-book-reviews.php?book=THE-ELECTRONIC-ADVENTURES-OF-DIGA-BYTE-by-Meredith-Mammano

As technology becomes more prevalent in our classrooms, it is important for students to gain a better understanding of the different aspects the Internet. And who knows, this book could inspire a student to create a great website!

What Are Clouds Made Of? by Geraldine Taylor
This interactive book containing fun flaps, pull tabs, and foldables answers childrens questions about the world around them. The topics vary from "who wakes up birds in the morning?" to "what do worms eat?" with beautifully illustrated pictures and scientific facts about earth science.
http://salebooks.com/Products/Detail.asp?ProductID=103385&Media=Book&SubCategoryID=2225&ReturnUrl=%2FProducts%2FCategoryMain.asp%3FMedia%3DBook%26MajorCategoryID%3D6

Young children often ask so many "WHY?" questions you think your head will explode! This book can provide an interactive way to answer some of those questions.

Gravity Is A Mystery by Franklyn M. Branley
Everyone knows what goes up must come down. But what is it that pulls everything toward Earth? Although we can't see it, gravity is all around us. Join a fun scientist and his dog as they explore gravity and the forces behind it.
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Gravity-Mystery/

This book would be a great introduction to a lesson about gravity. Students can explore how gravity works much like the characters in the book.

Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer
"While at play with his dog, Newton, a young boy discovers the laws of force and motion in his everyday activities to throwing a ball, pulling a wagon, riding a bike, and much more. Children will learn that physics is a part of their world. They will realize that Newton's Laws of Motion describe experiences they have every day, and they will recognize how forces affect the objects around them."
http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=Newton

Although physics seems like a subject for older students, children can begin to understand the foundation of physics at a young age through this interesting book.

Now and Ben by Gene Barretta
"What would you do if you lived in a community without a library, hospital, post office, or fire department? If you were Benjamin Franklin, you’d set up these organizations yourself. Franklin also designed the lightning rod, suggested the idea of daylight saving time, invented bifocals and the odometer—all inspired by his common sense and intelligence."
http://us.macmillan.com/nowben/GeneBarretta

By reading this book, students can understand the importance of inventions and be inspired to create their own device they think the public should use like Ben Franklin did.

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This Caldecott Honor book shows how life's transformations take place. From egg to chick and caterpillar to butterfly, children will be amazed at how the world can change in different ways.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1415026.First_the_Egg
This book would be great with younger students as they begin to understand the transformation of life from beginning to end.

What's Out There? A Book About Space by Lynn Wilson
"This is an introduction to the most important concepts in planetary science for young children; it discusses the planets, the differences among the terrestrial planets, the phases of the Moon, the origin of day and night and of the seasons, human exploration of the Moon, and a couple of other ideas, all in succinct, easy-to-understand text."
http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2010/2783.html

Outer space is a fascinating and mysterious subject for all students. This book lays the foundation about the Solar System to engage students and motivate them to learn more!

Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Clara Caterpillar, a cream colored butterfly compares herself to Catisha, a bright orange butterfly. She is jealous of her colors and dreams of being bright, but one day uses her camouflage to avoid being eaten by a cow. She learns that there are perks to being plain!
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/clara-caterpillar

Every child learns about a butterfly's metamorphosis throughout their early childhood education. This book takes a different approach and focuses on the color of a butterfly's wings, something some children may never think about.

Composting: Nature's Recyclers by Robin Koontz
 "Dead leaves, food scraps, and grass clippings for lunch? Small animals, fungi, and bacteria called decomposers turn trash into a tasty compost treat. Learn more about compost and how you can use it in your garden or yard."
https://www.wormwatcher.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=41

In an inquiry based classroom, students can learn the benefits of composting and experiment with different matter to see how it decomposes.