Where’s There’s a Force, There’s a Way

Where’s There’s a Force, There’s a Way

When third graders study science theories, taking a hands-on approach is often the best way to help them understand difficult concepts. As we studied forces and motion in science class, students completed experiments to help them understand chain reactions and forces of the magnetic field. Using dominos, students attempted to see how they could arrange them in various ways and still observe forces and movement as the dominos fell. By observing what worked for them and what didn’t work, they were able to adjust their thinking and recreate a chain reaction with success.

During the magnet exploration phase of the unit, students tried to determine which types of material would be attracted to their magnets. They tried different types of metal, as well as plastic, wood, and aluminum. They then shared their findings with their group members to see which facts were surprising to them and which were facts they expected. Lastly, I asked the students to perform “magic tricks” with their magnets. The students worked together to make objects move that were not actually attracted to magnets. They also found the effects of opposite poles on magnets. This inquiry discovery is proof that hands-on is not only fun, it’s also effective.