Magnets & Motors
Lesson 6
Using A Compass: Which Way Is Which?
Students learn about magnetic poles
3. Lesson set up and Management
Evaluating Inconsistencies: Provide more than one explanation for events or phenomena; defend or refute the explanations using evidence (IN08 2.2.8).
Evaluating Methods of Investigations: Describe how methods of investigation relate to the validity of scientific experiments, observations, theoretical models, and explanations (IN09 2.2.9)
Magnets attract and repel each other; this attracting and repelling can be used to cause motion.
A compass can be constructed by suspending a magnet so that it is free to rotate.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
It would be a good idea to have the symbols for North, South, East, and West (N, S, E, and W) posted in the classroom for directional reference during this lesson.
Student Management:
This lesson begins with whole-class instruction. Keep the attention of students on the lesson by using a laser pointer on a large world map.
If you have space and available materials, save the compasses for use in Lesson 12.
Writing Support:
Have student write about their reflections of this lesson in their science notebooks.
Reading Support:
Students will read two reading selections in pairs. Make sure to have students put away any materials before reading to prevent distractions.