USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template
Lesson Content
What Standards (national or
state) relate to this lesson?
(You should include ALL applicable
standards. Rarely do teachers use
just one: theyd never get through
them all.)
Essential Understanding
(What is the big idea or essential
question that you want students to
come away with? In other words,
what, aside from the standard and
our objective, will students
understand when they finish this
lesson?)
MW: What one piece will students
walk away with understanding after
engaging in this lesson?
Essential question:
What is magnetism and what types of objects are attracted to magnets?
Science concept:
Physical Properties of Matter
Process skills/science practices:
Observation, Classification, Communication, Prediction, Inferring
Formatted: Highlight
Nature of Science:
The world is understandable. Scientific ideas are subject to change, Science demands evidence, science
explains and predicts, Science is a complex social activity
Magnets are used in our everyday lives. Students who go on to the engineering and medical fields will use
magnets in their profession. Magnets are used in compasses and many tools that carpenters and
contractors use as well.
Cognitive scientists tell us that students need to relate new ideas to their experience and place new ideas
into a framework for understanding (Bransford, Brown, and Cocking 2001
Using a 5-E model helps to put these new ideas into a framework for students. In doing a 5Es model,
students are able to relate their prior experiences to their new observations and investigations of a topic.
In learning about magnets, students are loosely learning that the Earth is a magnet, and the magnetic
forces (such as gravity), that help to Earth to be the way that it is.
By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on
earth which cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as
the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other objects. It is important that students get a sense
of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between magnetic
and electric currents (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, p. 93.) In later years, students will learn about
gravitational force and how electric currents and magnets can exert a force as well.
Students have been working with properties of matter throughout their k-5 career. In kindergarten,
students sorted objects by observable properties such as size, shape, color, temperature, weight and
texture. In first grade students sorted objects by all of these properties, adding sorting an object by
whether it sinks or floats. In second grade, students observed and measured objects in terms of their
properties, which includes size, shape, color, temperature ,weight, texture, sinking or floating, and
attraction to magnets. In third grad, they are comparing materials and objects according to properties
such as size, shape, color, texture, and hardness. In fourth grade, students are measuring and comparing
objects and materials based on their physical properties, physical properties including all that has been
previously stated. In fifth grade, students are using their previous knowledge of physical properties of
matter and applying it to their knowledge of solids, liquids, and gases. In fifth grade, students are
comparing and contrasting the basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases, such as: mass, volume, color,
texture, and temperature. Attraction to magnets
Formative Evidence:
Engage: observing students answers to the questions that are asked
-What is a magnet?
Students at this stage should have a vague understanding of what magnets are: they have two poles, and
they attract and repel objects. Go over these two vocabulary terms if student discussion does not bring
them up.
-How are magnets used?
Possible student answers: magnets are used in toys, medical equipment, the whiteboard, etc.
-How do we know when something is magnetic?
Possible student answer: when the object sticks to the magnet
When the object is attracted to the magnet
-Answers to the first two questions on the worksheets
These are prediction questions, student may answer yes or no as long as they provide an explanation as to
why they chose that answer.
Explore:
-Observations of students throughout the investigation.
-What they are writing on their worksheets
Explain:
- One-on-one conversations with the students throughout the investigation
-What objects were attracted to the magnets?
Possible student answers: the paper clip, the tack, and the piece of metal
-What were these objects made out of?
Students should be able to answer that these objects are made out of metal
Through the explanation, students will learn that iron, cobalt, steel, and nickel are attracted to magnets,
and that aluminum and copper are not
Students will extend their thinking when asked if all of the metal objects were attracted to the magnets.
They should realize that only some of the metals were attracted to the magnets.
Ask the students if the aluminum foil was attracted to the magnets. Students should respond that the
aluminum foil, and the penny were not attracted to the magnet. Students should be able to answer that
only some of the metal objects were attracted to magnets.
Extend:
-Students will extend their thinking when asked if all of the metal objects were attracted to the magnets.
They should realize that only some of the metals were attracted to the magnets.
Student responses to the extension activity questions
Rubric for extension activity
0 Points: Student does not attempt to answer the question
1 Point: Student answers with a yes/no answer
2 Points: Students answers vaguely on whether or not a magnet would be a good tool for separating the
metal objects
3 Points: Student answers both parts of the question and can accurately explain why a magnet would not
Teacher needs to have an excessive knowledge of magnets and what types of objects are attracted to
objects. Teacher needs to know specific vocabulary related to magnets: attract, repel, no interaction.
Teacher needs to be aware that not all metals are attracted to magnets.
Teacher needs to understand that students were exposed to physical properties of matter previously, but
attraction to magnets is a new physical property of matter that they have not been exposed to yet.
Resources to learn about magnets:
Magnets are objects that produce an area of magnetic force called a magnetic field.
Magnetic fields by themselves are invisible to the human eye.
Iron filings can be used to show magnetic fields created by magnets (such as in the picture to the right).
Magnets only attract certain types of metals, other materials such as glass, plastic and wood aren't
attracted.
Metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt are attracted to magnets.
Most metals however are not attracted to magnets, these include copper, silver, gold, magnesium,
platinum, aluminium and more. They may however magnetize a small amount while placed in a magnetic
field.
Magnetism can attract magnetic objects or push them away.
Magnets have a magnetic north pole and a magnetic south pole. If the same pole of two magnets are
placed near each other they will push away (repel), while if different poles are placed near each other
Teaching Methods
(What teaching method(s) will you
use during this lesson? Examples
include guided release, 5 Es, direct
instruction, lecture, demonstration,
partner word, etc.)
Lesson Implementation
You will utilize the 5E teaching model for this lesson. Below, write out the purpose for each phase of the
5E model.
Engage:
The purpose of this part of the lesson is to get the students interested in the topic and to access prior
knowledge
Explore:
The purpose of this part of the lesson is for students to investigate the concept in which you are trying to
teach and to start to come up with explanations on their own.
Explain:
This part of the lesson is to solidify the explanations that the students come up with. This is the time to
provide students with definitions and why something happened inside of the investigation.
Extend:
This part of the lesson is to expand the knowledge of the students and to further develop their thinking.
This is the section where a lot of the H.O.T. questions will come in.
Evaluate:
This part of the lesson is embedded into every section. It is important to evaluate in every part of the
lesson so a teacher knows where to differentiate and where a student might be confused.
Step-by-Step Plan
(What exactly do you plan to do in
teaching this lesson? Be thorough.
Act as if you needed a substitute to
carry out the lesson for you.)
Time
Who is
responsible
(Teacher or
Students)?
Each content area may require a different step-by-step format. Use whichever
plan is appropriate for the content taught in this lesson. For example, in science,
you would detail the 5 Es here (Engage/Encountering the Idea; Exploring the
Idea; Explanation/Organizing the Idea; Extend/Applying the Idea; Evaluation).
10 min
(total)
5 min
Teacher
Engage
Hang up anchor chat, covering up the section that has attraction to magnets.
Ask the students what they know about physical properties of matter.
How can you classify objects?
Clear up any misconceptions that students may have about the physical
properties.
Divide the students into pre-selected pairs and give each pair a bag of objects.
(objects inside the mag are listed in the materials section)
Have the students explain what materials they have and make a list on the board
Ask the students to study all the objects and then classify or group them based
on what they know about the materials (refer to the physical properties of
matter anchor chart). Explain why sorting objects based on smell or taste might
not be the best method.
Have the students record their sorting method on the worksheet provided
5 min
30 min
(total)
10 min
2 min
2 min
2 min
14 min
8 min
5 min
Explain
Call an attention getter and bring all of the students back together
Tell the students to place all objects back inside of the bag and place the bag at
the top of the desks.
Collect all bags of objects.
Work together with the students to come up with a definition for the word
attract.
Ex. Moving towards each other
Write word and definition on board (students record in their journals)
Ask students if they know the word for when objects move away from each
other
Work together to come up with the word repel.
Write the definition and word on the board (students write in their
journals)
Ask: which of the items were attracted to the magnets? What were they made
out of?
Students should come to the conclusion that many metals are magnetic. To
further the investigation, discuss that more specifically iron, steel, nickel, and
cobalt are magnetic. Be sure to discuss that some metals (copper and aluminum)
are not attracted to magnets.
Expand
Pose the question (have it on the board):
Ms. Houlihan is trying to speed up her recycling process. She is trying to
separate her metals from the rest of her trash to be recycled. She has decided to
invest in an extra strength magnet to help to get her metals out of the trash. Do
you think that this will be the most effective way to get her metals out of the
trash can? Why or why not?
Have the students write the answer inside of their science notebooks
Discuss answers
Literature Connections:
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXCeuSiTOug
This is a great video to play for students to build their vocabulary knowledge.
Students can write down new vocabulary and facts into their science journals
Evaluate
Have the students answer the exit question and glue into their science journals
What will you do if
If applicable, how does this lesson connect to the interests and cultural backgrounds of your
students?
The students have many toys and objects that they use on an everyday basis that have magnets in them. It
is important that they know how the objects around them work.
If applicable, how does this lesson connect to/reflect the local community?
There are many magnets that are displayed throughout the community. The students are
constantly exposed to magnets, whether it be at the doctors office, at school, or even at the local
grocery store.N/a
How will you differentiate instruction for students who need additional challenge during this
lesson (enrichment)?
How will you differentiate instruction for students who need additional language support?
Paper Clip
Pennies
Hair Tie
Tack
Rubber Bands
Aluminum Foil
Piece of IronMetal
Foam Shapes
Magnets
Worksheets
Original Lesson:
PURPOSE
Students will gain an understanding that certain materials are attracted to magnets and some are not.
CONTEXT
This lesson is the first in a two-lesson series on magnets. Students should carry out many investigations in order to familiarize themselves with the
pushes and pulls of magnets. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which
cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other
objects. It is important that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between
magnetic and electric currents (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, p. 93.) In later years, students will learn about gravitational force and how electric
currents and magnets can exert a force as well.
Students at this level should have already discovered that magnets can make an object move without touching it. What they may not have paid
attention to is the type of materials that move and do not move when near a magnet.
In Magnets 1: Magnetic Pick-ups, students will look at various objects, make predictions about whether they are magnetic, and then test their
predictions. This exploration is an introductory activity to magnets and magnetism.
In Magnets 2: How Strong is Your Magnet?, students will discover how barriers and increased distance can vary the strength of a magnet.
PLANNING AHEAD
You will need various objects to test. Suggestions:
wooden toothpick
penny
jewelry
plastic cup
paper clips
thread
needles or pins
rubber bands
elastic hair bands
tin can
glass
aluminum foil
crayon
nail
mitten
paper
school scissors
tack
staples
bobby pin or barrette
MOTIVATION
Divide students into pairs and provide each pair with a bag of objects to test (students should not have magnets at this time). Tell students to empty
their bags of materials and investigate what is inside. Ask students to study all the objects and then classify or group them based on what they know
about the materials. Students may choose to sort by size, shape, material make-up, weight, or some other scheme. After students have had enough
time to sort the objects, have them record their sorting method on the student sheet, Methods of Classification. Then ask students to think of another way
to classify the objects and again, record their thoughts. Once students have determined two or three ways to classify the objects, have each group
share one of its methods, and perhaps discuss which objects would fall under which categories. You may wish to record the various classification
methods on the board.
Now hold up a bar or horseshoe magnet and ask students the following questions:
Tell students that they will explore magnets and the types of objects that are attracted to them. Explain to students that they will make predictions about
whether or not the objects in front of them are magnetic, and then discover if their predictions are correct.
DEVELOPMENT
Before starting the lab, students will speculate on whether an object's weight, texture, or size affects its magnetism. You may want to do the first
question from the Methods of Classification sheet together so that students understand what they are being asked. The discussion may be similar to the
following:
Say to students: Did any of you sort the object by weight? Heavy or light? Take a minute and classify the objects by weight. Perhaps decide which are
heavy, light, or something in-between.
Once students have finished, ask them:
Provide more explanation if needed. Then have students record their thoughts on the activity sheet Methods of Classification. Students should then
continue and answer similar questions found on the student sheet. Once students have completed the questions, you many want to discuss their
responses. Students will revisit them again once the lab is complete to see if their thoughts have changed.
Distribute a bar or horseshoe magnet and the student sheet, Magnetic Pickups, to each group. The activity sheet is designed so that students can work
independently if appropriate. You may want to reinforce that students will first record and make predictions for all the objects, then they will test each
object for magnetism and record results.
ASSESSMENT
Once students have recorded their predictions and results, they will reflect on their findings by answering questions on the Magnetic Pickups student
sheet. Students should come to the conclusion that many metals are magnetic. You may wish to discuss more specifically that iron, steel, nickel, and
cobalt are magnetic. Be sure to address that some metals (e.g., copper and aluminum) are not attracted to magnets.
Second Lesson:
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceUrl/Preview/4341
Anchor Chart:
Worksheet
Worksheet:
Exit Question: