This Magnetic Forces 5E Model Unit Plan is an inquiry-based unit using the 5E Model lesson plans. It focuses on investigating magnetism by learning about the relationship of magnetic interactions between two objects. Throughout the unit, students identify, test and use the cause and effect relationship of magnetic forces to explain how magnets work. This unit also includes a design challenge in which students apply the scientific ideas learned throughout the unit. The unit includes three parts for each 5E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate) and more.

FREE Google Classroom Digital Resources Include:

• Google Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
• Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
• Google Form Exit Cards

Included in this Magnetic Forces Science Resource

• Teacher Notes that provide an overview of the resource and explanation of the NGSS standard for Magnetism 3-PS2-3 and 3-PS2-4
• Common Misconceptions about Magnetism
• Teaching Timeline available with four different options, including a correlation with the Third Grade Science Stations
• Vocabulary Cards to reinforce magnetism key terms throughout the unit. These are the same vocabulary cards available in the Third Grade Science Stations
• Big Idea Posters that illustrate the main concepts students will learn
•  Exit Tickets in three formats: short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice
• Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
• Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option

What is the 5E Instructional Model?

The 5E Model is student-led, with the teacher acting mainly as the facilitator. Through open-ended questions, real-life experiences, guided investigations, and research, the students gain a deep understanding of the scientific topics that are covered in the lessons. Each stage of the model serves as a foundation to the next, creating a coherent model that frames lessons, activities, and units.

Find out more about the 5E Unit Plans in this blog post.

Objectives and Timeline for Each Section of the 5E Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Unit

Engage

Objectives:

• Students will access their prior knowledge about magnetism.
• Student interest in magnetism will be elicited.
• The teacher will be able to identify student misconceptions about magnetism.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Is This?): 
5 minutes
• Part 2 (My Experiences): 
10 minutes
• Part 3 (Introducing): 
15 minutes

Explore

Objectives:

• Students will work together to investigate magnetism. They will do this by observing how a compass behaves around a magnet, as well as how magnetism changes when another magnet is brought near.
• Students will gather very general information about factors that affect magnetism.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Check It Out): 
15 minutes
• Part 2 (Watch and Read This): 15 minutes
• •Part 3 (You Try It): 
20 minutes

Explain

Objectives:

• Students will work collaboratively to determine what affects the magnetic field of magnets.
• Students will listen to the teacher’s explanation about magnetism.
• Students will use the new information to revise their explanations about the factors that affect the magnetic field of magnets.
• Students will draw diagrams to show the magnetic field of magnets.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What Does It Mean?): 15 minutes
• Part 2 (What Is Magnetism?): 20 minutes
• Part 3 (Putting It All Together): 20 minutes 
(30 minutes, if optional extension activities are added)

Extend

Objectives:

• Students will apply what they have learned about magnetism to a new situation.
• Students will deepen their understanding of magnetism, gaining a more generalized knowledge of this specific scientific concept.
• Students will engage in an engineering design challenge to solve a problem using what they know about magnetism as part of the solution.
• The teacher will resolve all persisting student misconceptions about magnetism.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (Where is the Magnetism?): 20 minutes
• Part 2 (Show What You Know): 30 minutes
• Part 3 (Have Fun With It): 15 minutes

Evaluate

Objectives:

• Students will evaluate their own understanding of magnetism.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and vocabulary.
• The teacher will encourage students to ask questions that could lead to future investigations.

Parts and Duration:

• Part 1 (What I Know): 
15 minutes
• Part 2 (Showing Magnetism): 20 minutes
• Part 3 (Going Forward): 
15 minutes