Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Magnetism: Magnets

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This step of the lesson plan is crucial to establish a clear and concise understanding of the main objectives of the day. By outlining which skills students need to develop, the teacher guides students' focus toward the most fundamental aspects of magnetism and magnets. This allows the subsequent class to be directed and effective, maximizing the use of classroom time for practical applications and in-depth discussions.

Main Objectives:

1. Identify and explain the properties and functions of magnets, including their ability to produce a magnetic field around them.

2. Describe how magnetic attraction and repulsion work between the north and south poles of magnets and how this applies to ferromagnetic materials.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop observation and critical analysis skills when manipulating and observing the behavior of magnets.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students with the day's theme, using problem-based situations that encourage reflection and the application of prior knowledge. Additionally, contextualizing the content with examples from everyday life and real-world applications of magnetism helps demonstrate the relevance of the study and spark students' interest. This approach prepares the ground for deeper and more meaningful learning during the practical activities of the lesson.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are playing with two magnets, and when you bring them close, they attract each other. How would you explain this phenomenon to someone who does not know about magnetism?

2. Think of a situation in everyday life where separating ferromagnetic objects using a magnet could be useful. Describe the process and why it works.

Contextualization

Magnetism is not just a laboratory phenomenon; it has significant practical and historical applications. Since ancient times, magnetism has been used in compasses for navigation, and today it is essential in modern technologies, such as hard drives and MRI medical devices. Furthermore, understanding magnetism has allowed advances in fields such as medicine, where magnets are used to help diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is dedicated to the practical and in-depth application of the concepts of magnetism and magnets. Through playful and interactive activities, students have the opportunity to explore and solidify their understanding of the properties of magnets, the magnetic field, and the interaction with ferromagnetic materials. The goal is to provide meaningful learning where students can experiment and apply theoretical knowledge creatively, while also promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Magnetic Mission: The Magnetar Treasure Rescue

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge about magnetism in practice, developing teamwork and strategy skills.

- Description: Students are divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group is tasked with 'rescuing' a treasure (represented by small objects like clips, coins, or nails) that is 'trapped' on a large map of the room, with the magnetic field as the obstacle. Each group receives a map indicating the locations of the treasures and a set of magnets of different sizes and shapes.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Each group receives a map of the room where the zones of the magnetic field and the locations of the 'treasures' are marked.

• Students must use the magnets to attract the objects without entering the magnetic field zones, which are traps.

• The goal is to collect the largest number of 'treasures' in the shortest time possible without touching the magnetic field zones.

• At the end, each group presents its strategy and what they learned about the behavior of magnets.

Activity 2 - The Great Polarity Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop students’ capacity for observation and analysis of the magnetic properties of materials, as well as promote critical thinking and healthy competition.

- Description: In this activity, student groups receive a box containing various metal objects and magnets. They must classify the objects as ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, or diamagnetic without using pre-established labels on the objects. Each correct classification earns points, and in the end, the group with the most points wins.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Distribute boxes with various metal objects and magnets.

• Students must conduct tests to determine the magnetic property of the objects without directly touching them with the magnets.

• Score each correct classification based on the difficulty of the object.

• The group with the most points at the end of the activity is the winner.

Activity 3 - Pole Builders: Creating a Magnetic Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the properties of magnetic attraction and repulsion in constructing a game, stimulating creativity, teamwork, and practical application of magnetism concepts.

- Description: Students are challenged to build a magnetic maze game. Using materials like cardboard, magnets, and metal objects, each group must design and construct a maze where the objective is to guide a metal sphere from a starting point to an endpoint, avoiding obstacles that are attracted to or repelled by strategically placed magnets.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide materials such as cardboard, magnets, small metal objects, and a metal sphere.

• Students must design and build a maze that uses the principles of magnetic attraction and repulsion to guide the metal sphere to the endpoint.

• Test each group’s game, making adjustments as needed.

• Present the game to the class and explain how the principles of magnetism were applied in the design.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate practical and theoretical learning about magnetism, allowing students to articulate what they have learned and reflect on the application of concepts in varied contexts. The group discussion helps reinforce understanding, clarify doubts, and promote an exchange of experiences among students, enriching collective learning.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion by inviting each team to share their discoveries and experiences during the activities. Ask them to discuss how the concepts of magnetic field, polarity, and magnetic interactions manifested in each task. Encourage students to explain how they approached the challenges and what strategies they used to overcome difficulties.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges when working with magnets and how did you overcome them?

2. How did understanding the polarities of magnets help in completing the tasks?

3. Was there any surprise or unexpected discovery during the activities that altered your initial understanding of magnetism?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to ensure that students have consolidated the acquired knowledge and understand the connection between theory and practice. Additionally, it seeks to reinforce the importance of magnetism in the modern world, highlighting its applications and encouraging students to continue exploring the topic inside and outside the classroom. This closing moment is crucial to ensure that learning objectives have been met and that students can apply knowledge meaningfully.

Summary

To conclude the lesson, it is essential to recap the main concepts covered about magnets and magnetism. During the practical activity, students were able to observe the properties of attraction and repulsion, the magnetic field, and the application of these concepts in everyday and playful situations, reinforcing the theoretical understanding with practice.

Theory Connection

Today’s lesson has been meticulously planned to connect theory with practice. Through interactive activities, students were able to apply theoretical knowledge in real situations and build a deeper understanding of magnetism. This not only facilitates learning but also helps visualize the importance and ubiquity of magnetism in the real world.

Closing

Understanding magnetism and magnets is fundamental, not only for the study of physics but also for practical applications in technology and medicine. By the end of the lesson, students should recognize the relevance of these concepts in their everyday lives and how they can be applied in various situations, from creating new technologies to understanding natural phenomena.