Recommended Reading for Magnets

The following is a list of recommended books that provide a wide range of reading and research resources for this mini-module. Collect as many as you can for your classroom science library, or ask your school librarian for assistance.

If you have a budget for purchasing books, the Science Companion recommends the following titles to supplement the Magnets module:

Magnet Fun

By Lisa Oram. (2006, Pearson Education, Inc.)

A Scott Foresman Science Leveled Reader (Grade 2, on-level) This nicely illustrated book shows the basic properties of magnets.

Magnets

By Steve Parker. (1998, Gareth Stevens)

This book covers many aspects of magnetism, including the properties of magnets. In addition, it includes a variety of experiments and activities to reinforce the concepts presented in the book.

Magnets

By Ann Schreiber. (2003, Penguin Young Readers Group)

This wonderfully illustrated book explains the history of magnets, different kinds of magnets, how they work, and how they are used.

What Makes a Magnet?

By Franklyn Branley. (1996, Harper Collins Children’s Books)

This grade-appropriate book explains the property and behavior of magnets and gives instructions about how to make a magnet and a compass.

Magnets Materials Management

Special note about managing materials for this module

• Click here to see the kit lists.

• Click here to download the re-order form.

Tips and Strategies

Below are some general tips and suggestions to assist with the management of materials for the Magnets Unit:

• Check here for classroom supplies needed for the lessons. Use the following strategies to make acquiring and maintaining these materials less cumbersome:
  1. Use your school’s Open House/Parent Night to gather materials for the unit. Download the Request for Materials form, copy in needed classroom materials, and distribute the form during this time.
  2. Store classroom supplies in one or two boxes.
  3. Organize classroom supplies and ExploraGear items needed for a lesson (or week) into a separate “Active” box, so they are ready for use.
1. Rotate the “Active” box items throughout the unit.

• Obtain these recommended books for the unit.

Web Links for the Magnets Mini-module

Our writers recommended these independent websites as background information and content supplements for the Magnets lessons.

http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/Info_Magnets.cfm
This site provides background information on magnets and magnetism, including how magnets were discovered and information about the compass.

http://www.tooter4kids.com/Magnets/Index.htm
This site presents basic information about magnets as well as information on the history of magnets. Also included on this site are magnet poems, fun facts about magnets, and information on how to make a magnet.

http://ksnn.larc.nasa.gov/k2/s_magnetsWork.html
This site presents a very simple video, geared towards children in grades 1-2, explaining how magnets work. In addition, activities demonstrating the force and strength of magnets are provided.

http://www.coolmagnetman.com/
This web site provides extensive background information about magnets and magnetism. In addition, numerous experiments dealing with everything from the attractive and repulsive forces of magnets to magnetic levitation are highlighted.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/maglev-train.htm
This web site explains how magnetic levitation trains work.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/electromagnet.htm
This web site explains how electromagnets work.

http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/gilbert.html
This web site offers background information on William Gilbert, the physician credited with discovering that the earth has the characteristics of a giant magnet.

http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/compass2.html
This web site describes the history of the compass.

ExploraGear™ and Classroom Supplies for Magnets