A Sample of My Teaching
During my student teaching experience, I taught a unit on magnetism and electricity. I thoroughly enjoyed this unit, as did my students. The following lesson in a sample of a modified lesson on magnetism.
MAGNETS
Title: An introduction to magnets and magnetism
Grade level: 4-6
Time: One Hour
Purpose:
1.
To introduce vocabulary relating to magnets.
2. Students discuss experiences with magnets.
3. Teacher performs various magnet "tricks" as demonstrations.
4. Students experiment with magnets, record observations.
Materials:
1.
Various magnets of different strengths and sizes.
2. Magnet overheads (Milliken magnet unit).
3. Magnet worksheets 1-8 (Milliken magnet unit).
4. Different things to test magnetism (paper, paper clip, pencil, coin,
metal objects, etc.).
Introduction:
Today we will introduce magnets. I am sure you have all worked with magnets at some time, but do you really know how magnets work? Will work with various types of magnets, discuss how they work, and make some observations depending on what a magnet will attract. I will do a few magnet tricks for you- I think you will enjoy them!
Procedure:
1.
Introduce magnetism, and discuss its meaning.
2. Discuss magnets, and what the children
think magnets do.
What can they attract?
3. Discuss different types of magnets, while showing each type to the
students.
4. Begin showing students what the magnets will attract, and why.
Also discuss the polar ends of a magnet.
5. After testing a few objects, have students sit around you. Do
several magnet tricks, such as floating another magnet above a magnet of the
same power, magnetic field tests, making a compass, etc.
6. Discuss with children why magnets can do so many neat things.
7. Seat students in groups of four or five, and hand each group several
types of magnets.
8. On a sheet of their own paper, have them record observations of each
magnet- How are they different and alike? Does one have a larger magnetic
field than another, etc.
9. Collect the sheets of paper after ten or fifteen minutes, and hand out
sheets 1-8 as homework. These sheets are quick and will become a study
guide.
10. One the next day, collect and grade the handouts, and then as a class
correct. These are now a magnet study guide.
Closing
Who can tell me some things you learned about magnets today? There are many different things we can do with magnets, and, in fact, magnetism helps our world go. We will discuss how we use magnets later. For now, see what you can found out about magnets at home. Don't forget your homework!