Materials
Sectional plastic plate
Permanent marker
Metal objects, such as a paper clip, nail, washer, and so on
Non-metal objects, such as a crayon, Popsicle stick, plastic top, and so on
Horseshoe magnet
Instructions
1. On one section of the plastic plate, write "Yes" using a black permanent marker.
2. On another section of the plate, write "No."3. Put all of the metal and non-metal objects into the third section of the plate.
4. Tell the children what the words say, and ask them to point out "Yes" and "No" until you are certain they understand. Explain to the children that they should put the metal objects into the "Yes" section and the non-metal objects into the "No" section.
5. Place a metal object on the table. Pick it up with the magnet and say, "Yes." Place it into the "Yes" section of the place.
6. Repeat with a non-metal object. Say, "No," and place it into the "No" section.
7. Invite the children to take turns testing the objects.More to doAsk the children if they can tell why the magnet attracts some objects and not others. Name other objects, and ask the children if they think the magnet would attract them. Add a penny to the objects. Why doesn't the magnet pick up thepenny? Explain that a penny is made of copper, while the other objects are made of iron. Magnets only attract iron. Collect a number of metal objects and encourage the children to test them to see if they contain iron.
