Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Performance Task:
Magnetic Forces
Science Standards:
2.2 Interaction and Change: Living and non-living things change.
2.2P.1 Compare and contrast how objects and materials respond to magnetic
forces.
2.3 Scientific Inquiry: Scientific inquiry is a process used to explore the natural
world using evidence from observations and investigations.
2.3S.1 Observe, measure, and record properties of objects and substances
using simple tools to gather data and extend the senses.
2.3S.2 Make predictions about living and non-living things and events in the
environment based on observed patterns.
2.3S.3 Make, describe, and compare observations, and organize recorded data.
Learning Targets:
 I can show that objects will respond differently to magnetic forces.
 I can explain whether an object will be attracted to a magnet, based on what it is
made of.
Language Target:
 I can use transition words to compare and contrast magnetic and non-magnetic
surfaces.
Sentence Frames (examples):
The object is magnetic contrast transition word the second object is not.
(The paper clip is magnetic however the paper is not.)
The object is magnetic compare transition word second object.
(The paper clip is magnetic just like the key.)
NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 Literature Connection:
The Magnet Book by Levine and Johnstone
What makes a magnet? Branley, Franklyn
Magic School Bus: Amazing Magnetism by Carmi, Rebecca.
What Magnets Can Do by Fowler, Allan
Forces Around Us by Hewitt, Sally
Key Vocabulary:
Magnet: a stone or piece of metal that attracts another piece of metal
Attract: to pull towards
Repel: to push away from each other
Metallic: containing metal
Non-Metallic: an object that does not contain metal
Materials:
magnets for each student, metal objects (paperclips, staples, scissors, keys, etc.), nonmetal objects such as: pencils, paper, books, plastic trashcan, ruler, eraser, cds, etc.),
recording sheet
Teacher Background:
Magnets use an invisible force called magnetism to attract certain items. Items made of
metal, especially iron, are attracted to magnets, while other objects are not. Regardless of
their shape or size, all magnets have two things in common — a north pole and a south
pole. Opposite poles attract and pull together, while like poles repel and push apart.
All magnets have an invisible magnetic force field that can be seen when a sheet of paper is
placed over a magnet and iron filings are sprinkled on top. We can see that the lines of
force are strongest at the two poles and that the lines move from one pole to the other
because they attract each other. For a metal object to be pushed or pulled by a magnet, it
has to be in its magnetic field.
Here are some helpful websites:
http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magindex.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/physical_processes/magnets/play.shtml
NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 Scientific Inquiry Defined
There are four components to the inquiry cycle, and it is important that students see this
cycle as a process for “doing” science.
1. Forming a Question or Hypothesis
2. Designing an Investigation
3. Collecting and Presenting Data
4. Analyzing and Interpreting Results
During initial student experiences, the individual parts of the inquiry cycle need to be
explicitly taught and modeled by the teacher. As students gain experience, teachers
will gradually release control and move to a model of more learner self-direction (see
Figure 2 for more detail).
NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 1. Show the students a magnet. Ask for a volunteer to walk around the class and try to
'stick it onto different surfaces. What do they notice? (It 'sticks' to some surfaces but
not to others.) Explain that magnetic force attracts some objects so it appears to
'stick', but that magnets do not attract all materials.
2. Demonstrate a material that is attracted to a magnet and explain that this is a
magnetic material. Demonstrate a material that is not attracted to a magnet and
explain that this is not magnetic or a non-magnetic material.
3. Write 'magnetic' and 'non-magnetic' as headings on the board. Choose another
material or object and ask the children to predict whether they think it will be
magnetic or not? Test it and then write the name of the material or object under the
correct heading on the board.
4. Divide the class into groups. Give each
group a copy of the worksheet, a magnet
and a set of the objects listed on the
worksheet. Ask each group to predict
whether a material will be magnetic or not,
and then test it. They should write their
predictions and the results onto the
worksheet. They should then sort their
objects into two groups: those that are
attracted by a magnet and those that are
not.
NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 Designing an Investigation
5. With help from students, list on the board which objects were magnetic and
which were non-magnetic. Ask the students what they notice about the materials
that the magnetic objects were made from? (They are all metals.)
6. Show the children another group of objects made from a selection of magnetic
and non-magnetic materials. Ask the children to pick out the objects they can
predict will definitely not be magnetic. How do they know this (they are not
metals)? Test to check.
7. Are all the metallic objects magnetic? Test to check.
8. Elicit that some metals are magnetic and some are not.
Collecting Data
9. Have the students record their findings on the
backside of their Data Recording Sheet.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
10. Once all tests have been completed have students
look over their results and write a concluding
statement regarding their findings.
NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 NCSD Grade 2 Scientific Inquiry Task – Magnetic Forces: Teacher Notes August 1, 2011 Name_____________________________________________ Magnetic Force: Data Recording Sheet Predict whether each object will be attracted to a magnet and write YES or NO in the Prediction column. Then try the experiment using a magnet and record your findings in the Record section. If you want to test more objects, continue this grid on the back of this paper. Object Prediction Result Paper Clip Scissors CD Key Pencil Book Trash Can Ruler North Clackamas School District: Grade 2, Magnetic Force Recording Sheet 09-­‐27-­‐11 Name_____________________________________________ Magnetic Force: Data Recording Sheet Predict whether each object will be attracted to a magnet and write YES or NO in the Prediction column. Then try the experiment using a magnet and record your findings in the Record section. If you want to test more objects, continue this grid on the back of this paper. Object Prediction Result Results: The _________________________________________ is magnetic, ____________________________________, first object contrast word the ________________________________________ is not. second object North Clackamas School District: Grade 2, Magnetic Force Recording Sheet 09-­‐27-­‐11