Third Grade · Science · week 7

Magnetic games build

Apply attract, repel, and distance ideas about magnets to build and test a simple magnet-powered game, explaining which magnetic idea makes it work.

You now know several real magnet ideas: opposite poles attract, like poles repel, magnets mainly grab iron and steel, and magnetic force weakens with distance. This week, you use those ideas to build something fun that only works BECAUSE of magnetism.

One classic option is a magnet fishing game: tie a magnet to a string on a stick to make a "fishing pole," then cut paper fish and attach a paperclip to each one. A magnet maze is another option: tape a drawn path onto paper, put a paperclip on top, and move a magnet underneath the paper to guide the paperclip along the path.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Actually build one of these games together with household materials, a stick, string, magnet, paper, and paperclips.
  • Test it, and if it does not work well at first, troubleshoot together rather than switching to a new idea right away.
  • Ask the child to explain, out loud, which magnet idea from the unit makes the game function.
  • Let them adjust the difficulty (distance, magnet strength, fish weight) and observe the effect.
Talk about it:
  • Which magnet idea from the past few weeks does your game rely on?
  • What happened when you tested your first version?
  • Where would a stronger magnet make your game easier or harder?

Mastery looks like: They build a working magnet-based game and can explain which specific magnetic property makes it function.

Common stumbles: Choosing a magnet too weak for the distance or weight involved, then assuming the design idea itself was wrong.

Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Science for this learner.
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